Feature Article: Made in China

Made In China
What is the real cost of a good bargain?


As technology advances, our hunger for the new and exciting item grows. Society has developed a form of “fashion ADD” and it seems that our appetites just can’t seem to be satisfied. With new seasons being created just to keep up with the pace of a never-ending demand, the competition has become fiercer than ever before. Not only have we become seekers of constant change, but also seekers of the lowest price; to compensate, of course, for the fact that there is so much more to buy. So, at what cost really is that great deal? What do we really pay for the ultimate cheap and chic find?
It is no secret that the majority of the clothing, accessories, and even food we buy are manufactured overseas. It is also no secret why. It’s much cheaper. The average North American makes no less than five dollars per hour, and that is not even close to the Canadian minimum wage, whereas in China employees make less than a dollar. The working conditions are primitive in relation to what we consider acceptable in the West. The factories are small, the hours are long and the employees are forced to live far below poverty, simply because it’s better than nothing at all. There have also been numerous accounts of abuse, including physical, verbal, and even sexual. All qualities we would not only never subject ourselves to on this side of the world, but our government as well as various other organizations protect us from such standards. While the labourers suffer, the economy of countries like China benefit from such transactions, gaining control of the international market and creating more companies and more jobs.
By paying these minimal fees, companies are able to make more products at much lower costs, drastically improving their profit and giving us the bargain we hunt for. There are many sides to this debate, especially when it comes to the fashion perspective. The retail industry is one of the leading industries in outsourcing production of its goods. It is also one of the most competitive industries with the most drastic demand for constant change in products. For example, we do not expect the food industry to import oranges from a new country every week, we do not expect a new flavour of ice cream every month, and we do not expect (and probably couldn’t afford) to buy the latest television every few months. When it comes to fashion, however, our demand changes on an almost weekly basis. New clothing companies are popping up at an increasing speed with clothing that costs less and less. We are also quickly bored, and will call an item dated almost as fast as our produce expires.
The speed of our taste is greatly reflected in our ever-changing, rapid-paced society. After all, we in the West like to consider ourselves as being advanced. We are the “free” people. We are the hungry, the rich, the powerful, and we want it all. No task is too great and nothing is inaccessible. This mentality defines the way we live, think, and act. Despite the great rising in social consciousness, our constant desires are hard to contain. We do want to save the world, but only after we pop in to H&M for a quick browse, and possibly a purchase. We want to fight AIDS in Africa, so we buy a “made in China” t-shirt from the Gap. It is a vicious cycle, especially when one is on a budget.
So, what can we do, and are we ready to do it? Without the use of overseas labour, prices would drastically rise. Potential quantity of production would also probably decrease. This is assuming that it is even a possibility. Without a nationwide agreement to end, or control, outsourced production, capitalism will inevitably prevail. The action would have to be made at a global level, so that there are no loopholes and no possibility of any company indulging in cheap labour, which would discard all positive action. Or, companies can pay higher wages to overseas workers. This option opens up a whole new plethora of questions and debate. How will the country react/be affected by such a change. And, why would they not then hire workers in their own country? Are we helping other countries by supporting, though minimally, their economy? Or, are we abusing other countries and taking advantage of the low-costs they provide us?
Ultimately it is up to us (the people, the fashion-lovers, the citizens) to decide for ourselves where we stand on the subject. Though it can often be easy to judge and point fingers, it is a complicated topic with no quick solution. We want to save the world, we want justice and freedom and equality, but we have a price limit. Creating a global change and a “perfect” society takes a lot of personal sacrifice, but we live in a world where we are raised and trained to look out for number one. We have gotten used to the luxuries of the Western world, and it is sometimes easier to turn a blind eye to the problems seemingly far removed from us when it conflicts with what we want. On the other hand, just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. These problems are real. Unlike Santa or the Easter Bunny, unfair working conditions exist. Everyday people are exploited to support the increasing demand for profit. As much as we may hate to admit it, sometimes when the dress is that cute, it can be really easy to ignore that tag that reads, “made in China”.