Plight of Garment Factory workers in Pakistan.

23-11-2023 

Eman Shaukat 

Pakistan Researcher, 

Global Human Rights Defence 

 With the Anthropocene and Capital-ocene both active at an exponentially increasing rate, the global demand for fast fashion also experiences an increase. The European Union is the main market for Pakistan's garment exports  (57%) [1], and this makes up for a crucial role in Pakistan's economic landscape.

This ‘sophisticated’ product does not correspond with its name and poses a very dark reality for its most crucial input, labour. Despite years of advocacy and horrific testimonies by those affected, the issue remains as pressing as ever. Garment factory workers experience some of the worst possible forms of rights abrogation. Despite signing international accords, malpractices continue which deny rightful wages, working conditions, leaves, or even redressal mechanisms.  

Working conditions are a very grave issue and it stems from necessities such as clean toilets, breaks and temperature regulators, and escalates to injuries,toxins, insurance, underage labour, gender based violence etc.  

Companies take on more orders in hunger for growing profits, they cut back on resource expenses for provision of fair compensation and working conditions for the labour. The trickle-down of wealth however is negligible.  

Where the world is shifting to shortened work weeks, individual freedom and overall ingraining the idea of care in the economy, the labour sector in Pakistan is lightyears behind. Unions do not have the support or environment needed function to their potential. Even though conventions by the International Labor Organization are ratified, the unregistered factory environments (+ thousands of employees) are overlooked and hence their plight goes unnoticed. 

Speculation arises that when resisting such practices are we not potentially driving an economically vulnerable population into poverty? The answer lies within a systemic and deep rooted change. Policies that guarantee living wages, decent work conditions and safety by the producer, and having strict governmental and civil society overlook is the need of the hour.

A comprehensive and swift set of concrete actions opens up potential for the labour in Pakistan to build capacity and encourage competition, which would result in statisating economic goals as well. 

Sources and further readings: 

[1] FairWear. Pakistan country study. Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs 2021.

[2] Sainato M. ‘Give workers an equal seat’: pressure builds for Levi’s to protect factory employees. 2022; Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2022/sep/23/levis-garment-workers-bangladesh-pakistan-international-accord-health-safety.