What is responsible garment manufacturing?
Garment workers historically have been among the most exploited labor groups in the world, often working for less than minimum wage and suffering under abusive employers while struggling to provide for themselves and their families. Meanwhile, their work has created a multi-billion industry that has made corporations and their executives very, very rich.
This is not a sustainable situation for workers. They deserve fairness and a voice on the job.
The Alliance for Responsible Apparel Manufacturing and Purchasing (“ARAMP”) is working to bring responsible garment manufacturing to Los Angeles by empowering workers and raising standards.
The reality is that the Los Angeles garment industry faces systemic issues stemming from power imbalances between factory owners and brands worldwide, thereby perpetuating exploitation and sweatshop labor conditions. Taking the “low road” has led to a culture of unfair competition for ethical manufacturers, who are increasingly disincentivized to foster healthy workplaces.
In 2016, for example, the U.S. Department of Labor reported 85% of L.A. garment factories had violated wage and hour laws.
LA needs a high road of responsible garment manufacturing, where institutional purchasers such as cities and universities buy from ethical garment makers.
This approach would create a better, more robust local garment industry by doing away with sweatshops and establishing trained and skilled workers as industry standard-bearers. It would support small businesses owners who treat workers fairly and promote collaboration between them and purchasers to invest in a workforce that sets new benchmarks for employment quality.
Responsible garment manufacturing under ARAMP includes labor standards for manufacturers, capacity building of workers and local factories, and market-driven incentives. Workers will be trained to monitor conditions and report violations. Expanding market access beyond traditional, low road fashion markets helps local businesses be more resilient, enabling ethical manufacturers to build capacity and improve, which, ultimately, fosters a more sustainable and competitive domestic industry.
We aim to build a marketplace that promotes equity and justice while building our capacity and community assets. Ultimately, by strengthening and expanding the field of ethical garment manufacturers in L.A., we will be able to connect more workers to the workplaces they deserve, where health, equity, and fair wages are guaranteed.
Learn in detail about how ARAMP works here.