Pakistani clothing brands face allegations of labour rights violations

Widespread labour rights violations have been found in the textile recycling industry, which is being promoted by major fast fashion brands as a pillar of sustainability.

A new study exposes big labor rights abuses in the textile recycling sector. Major fast fashion brands push recycling as a green fix for sustainability. Yet they ignore harsh worker conditions in these supply chains. The Labour Education Foundation teams up with Arisa, a Dutch rights group, for this report.

They check 20 top brands. Most sell clothes from recycled textiles. But companies know little about worker pay or safety in waste handling. Brands market recycled items as eco-friendly. This hides the fashion industry’s huge waste problem. Discarded clothes often burn or fill landfills. Recycling seems smart. But workers pay a heavy price.

Fieldwork in Pakistan reveals the truth. Faisalabad and Karachi lead textile recycling there. The sector runs mostly informal. Workers toil 12 hours a day, seven days a week. Many lack contracts, pay slips, or steady jobs. Bosses hand out cash wages too low for basic needs. Health risks run high. Dust, heat, and chemicals fill the air.

No good ventilation or gear protects them. Workers suffer lung issues, skin rashes, and eye pain. Unsafe machines cause bad injuries without proper training. The workforce stays weak. Migrants and poor groups fill most jobs. Few choices force them into bad spots. The study spots child labor too.

Brands dodge blame. They give vague info on chains or claim ignorance. Still, they sell recycled clothes as ethical picks. LEF and Arisa demand change. Brands must map full supply lines, including recycling spots. They push for safe workplaces and fair living wages. True sustainable fashion needs worker rights. Green gains fail if humans suffer. Companies face pressure to fix this now. Pakistan workers wait for real help.