You have the right to a dignified life.
Continuing with the topic of Human Rights that we started previously in the blog, join me now as we see within these the grouping corresponding to: SOCIAL RIGHTS.
Did you know that social rights are part of the second generation of human rights? In fact, both social, economic and cultural rights are part of the group known as the second generation of human rights. Interesting!
On this occasion, you and I will focus on social rights, and since I always like to share a little history with you, I can tell you that this group of rights caused a lot of controversy during the debates on the Declaration in the 1940s.
Currently, the incessant struggle continues worldwide over these rights, as well as economic and cultural rights, since they have great relevance in everything that happens.
And how can we see social rights reflected from our sectors?:
There are many ways to see these social rights reflected in everyday life. The big question is: FROM WHAT POINT DO YOU WANT TO SEE THEM, AS AN OBSERVER ONLY OR AS AN INDIVIDUAL WHO ACT POSITIVELY?
The decision is yours alone, and if you accept my very, very friendly advice, I would tell you that we can START WITH OURSELVES.
Let's start by very honestly analyzing each of the actions we do daily, even if they are very basic, and let's question whether what we are doing really contributes to the fulfillment of social rights, for which we have fought so hard.
I think it is a good way to start and remember that the best way to teach is by example. And with this we are ready! WE WILL BE INDIVIDUALS WHO TAKE ACTION, AND THIS IS WHAT IS REALLY NEEDED. By nature, it is always very easy to see others, to request that others make changes, but that is not necessary if we all individually do what is right for us.
Ok, but where do I see all these rights reflected? To illustrate a little, I could mention among many examples:
- Social security.
- Right to work.
- Right to rest.
- The famous labor exploitation of workers in the international textile industry.
- Right to an adequate standard of living.
- Right to union membership.
Let's look at some cases:
If you wonder what a piece of clothing has to do with social rights:
Well, the truth is that it has a lot to do with it. Starting with the fact that we have the figure of a consumer for this type of product. Then it is obvious that work had to be generated in order for this piece to be made. For this work, respect for labor rights has had to be considered. And here we begin the questions, were these rights contemplated from the beginning in the design phase, processes, fair remuneration for workers, adequate workplaces, safety, among many?
Did you know that today we buy 400% more clothes than 20 years ago? It is more than alarming. Fast fashion is very worrying in the face of compliance with social rights. We can ask all the previous questions for this industry. We already have a lot of documented material about how all these workers are treated, about the unfortunate life and environmental consequences.
Image credits: https://www.economiasolidaria.org/noticias/canada-prohibira-importacion-de-bienes-hechos-por-ninos-o-en-esclavitud/
When cheap is expensive
Let's do an exercise when thinking about buying unethical piece. Let's focus on one of the points: LABOR EXPLOITATION. Let's evaluate these areas before making any purchasing decision:
-
Do we know what their supply chain has been like? We have no idea if the workers who made these pieces were under conditions of slavery, we know about the working conditions of the workers.
-
Has child labor been used? It is known that many pieces of denim are made from cotton, and cotton is often harvested in countries where child labor is used. There is child exploitation.
-
Are there favorable conditions for health? Wow, specifically on the topic of denim, there are too many health risks, due to the chemicals used in its production and dyeing. There is protection for these workers from these chemicals.
-
Is there safety for workers? First of all, are there developed and established guidelines for workplace safety and are regulations carried out?
-
Let's now get into the compensation part, is there a fair salary for workers? This is a super basic right for everyone and for the most part, of course, it is not violated.
Here we can put compliance with overtime payment as a subpoint within the salary: Many factories force their workers to work extensive overtime without legal compensation. This also triggers major health and mental problems. We have seen that in China there is so much pressure to demand overtime that employees cannot handle this burden and there is a high incidence of suicides as a consequence.
Following the common thread, let's look at the issue of the right to rest? We clearly see this right infringed, many factories require 15 working hours and for less than a minimum wage. We see with great sadness how a series of violations of social rights are unleashed
https://www.cencosud.com/conciencia-celeste-paris
What can I do to respect and preserve social rights
It is very graphic that OUR ACTIONS DO AFFECT THE COMPLIANCE OF SOCIAL RIGHTS.
Let's not remain as spectators, or worse still let's not get carried away by the deceptive sales, sales, promotions, etc., for the sole reason of a low price, let's really question if it is worth having that article of clothing at the cost of the horrible non-compliance with the rights of various workers.
In reality, THE COST FOR THAT GARMENT WOULD BE INVALUABLE, AS IS A PERSON'S LIFE.
I have always thought THAT ALL OF US, FROM EACH OF OUR AREAS, and by this I mean that from our role, whether as individuals, as a society and as actors in our brands, WE CAN CONTRIBUTE TO FULFILLING SOCIAL RIGHTS, with every action we do during the day. . It is also very important to PROMOTE these rights since in this way we help as a collective.
What is happening is too sad, but I encourage you not to stop at just one more reading. It is a great privilege for me that I can help you promote social rights, because they are actually very beautiful rights that touch our sensitivity as humans, and we must try to preserve them with great love.
I'll start with some brief TIPS, TO BE IN HARMONY WITH SOCIAL RIGHTS, and I would love if you could share some with me so that we can be replicators of good practices:
- Start by stopping before going to buy something and previously reflecting on the points mentioned above.
- Fundamental: Ask yourself if you really need what you are going to buy and then if you are going to use it for a long period of time.
- If you have a business or brand, it would be great to gradually implement each of the social rights and include new regulations as you go. You don't have to have them all from the beginning, it's a matter of starting and developing along the way.
- Promote the promotion of social rights in your networks.
- Check before purchasing if the brand has any commitment to transparency.
- Review the materials with which the garment was made.
- Educate ourselves on issues of ethical fashion and workers' rights.
- It is preferable to buy clothes of one color, since we already know how harmful dyes are.
- Choose local design and production.
- Select brands that promote fair trade.
- Contribute sustainable fashion awareness campaigns to your networks.
- Check if the brand you are going to buy has social responsibility programs.
These days I published in my stories @dbgreentique that IT IS NOT ONLY ENOUGH TO KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING, BUT IT IS NECESSARY: TO THINK AND VERY MAINLY ACT.
I decide that from my space, with the knowledge I have, with the tools I have, I can contribute, educate and fight from my trenches with the help of social rights to achieve the purpose of promoting Sustainable Fashion.
I invite you to be the main actors in making these changes, because it will be powerful enough for the positive changes we want to see.
I encourage you to continue visiting this page and I hope that, if you liked it, you will share it with someone who will find it very useful.
Remember that the protection of social rights is essential for us to reach and help others to have a DIGNIZED, EQUITABLE AND INCLUSIVE LIFE