Artists Statement

The textile industry is one of the biggest polluters, but it is also an industry where
there are unsafe and unhealthy working conditions. When rana plaza collapsed in 2013
and the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord came in, a lot improved. But then in 2018, under pressure from factory owners and the government,
the Dhaka High Court ruled that the local operations of the Accord should be transformed
and handed over to a new implementing agency, but witness signatories are already saying
that the safety of workers in these factories is seriously compromised.
There has to be a big change in the way factory owners keep on neglecting their employees but I think it’s also important that big brands are being transparent about where they produce,
by now everyone knows if there is China or Bangladesh on the label inside the garment, there’s a big chance that the piece is not made in good working conditions.
So if all brands have to be transparent where they produce, then we as customers can make a honest decision whether we want to shop there are not and hopefully a lot of people then
make the decision they don’t. This way brands are forced to be critical and conscious
about the way they produce and where they produce and so eventually the factory owners are forced to create healthier and saver working condition for their employees as brands decide they would not let their clothes/products being made in their factories anymore unless
they improve their working conditions.
Roughly said, consumers are the exhibitors of this problem, keep on buying unconsciously
and the problem won’t change. Companies and factories won’t change by themselves, only when exposed to publicity and pressure from costumers and the worker’s group.
But the worker’s groups in these factories will not stand up for themselves easily, because it’s often the only option they have, or they simply don’t get paid or get fired when they have a disagreement.
So I think, we as consumers, have to put pressure to these brands and the media has to keep on exposing these factories, to really make a change that endures.
We as designers can influence this by focus more on the story/narrative of how things are made, where and what is important in your process. And always strive for the better, keep reflecting on yourself as a designer, so you can grow and improve.