Fair trade textiles

Question 1

What is a key issue for consumers when buying textile products?

Answer 1

The working conditions of the factories in which they are made

Question 2

By what % has the sale of new clothes gone up by in the Uk in the last 10 years?

Answer 2

60%

Question 3

Where are 40% of the increase in clothes sales bought from?

Answer 3

From value traders such as primary at very low prices

Question 4

The low prices we pay for clothes from value stores has consequences. What are they?

Answer 4

It means the workers who make the clothes get paid very little

Question 5

Comment on the workers making clothes for the UK market which supplies the low value shops

Answer 5

1. Don’t earn a living way ( don’t earn enough money to feed themselves and their families)

Often have to work in unacceptable and dangerous conditions in factories known as sweatshops

Have to work extra unpaid hours

Are not allowed to join trade unions

Question 6

Why would it be an advantage for workers to be allowed to join trade unions?

Answer 6

The trade unions would negotiate better working conditions and better pay

Question 7

Why do you think the employers do not let the workers join the trade unions?

Answer 7

The employers do not want to use their profit to improve working conditions or increase wages

Question 8

Who works in the sweatshops

Answer 8

Adults and sadly young children who are exploited

Question 9

According to the charity UNICEF there is an estimated how many children working in slave labour between the ages of 5-13?

Answer 9

246 million

Question 10

What year was the unicef figure referring to , surely hundreds of years ago.
?

Answer 10

2014

Question 11

What is the definition of child labour?

Answer 11

Child labour is defines as exceeding a minimum number of hours depending on the age of the child and the type of work.

Question 12

Why are some factories dangerous?

Answer 12

The production of the products being made give off toxic gases

Question 13

How do the employers stop the workers joining the trade unions?

Answer 13

They sack them if they do

Question 14

In the fashion industry why is TRAID so well thought of?

Answer 14

They produce fashion garments that are 100% recycled and unique. The garment are made from textiles that have been thrown away

Question 15

If you are to care for your fabrics properly, what information should be on the label?

Answer 15

Accurate info on what they are made of and how they should be cleaned

Question 16

Do clothes manufacturers have to tell you about the fabric and how to clean it?

Answer 16

Yes this has to be done by law

Question 17

How will fabric info appear?

Answer 17

The label will show a % of each type of fibre

For example a coat which is a blend of fibres might sat 35% cotton 65% polyester

Question 18

How would you Wash a garment that says it is 100% wool?

Answer 18

At very low temperatures or the wool will shrink.

Question 19

What is the ITCLC?

Answer 19

International care labelling code

Question 20

What is the ITCLC and what does it do

Answer 20

Code by which all manufacturers produce the care labels for their clothes

Question 21

Where would you find the labels for clothes?

Answer 21

Sewn into the seams

Question 22

If the fabric burns easily what should the label say?

Answer 22

Keep away from a naked flame

Question 23

Why would a label affect the clothes that you buy?

Answer 23

You may prefer clothes that can be cleaned in a washing machine rather than dry cleaned

Question 24

What do numbers mean on the labels?

Answer 24

Generally the temperature to wash something at

Question 25

What does a small picture of an iron with or without a cross mean?

Answer 25

Either it can be ironed or it can’t be ironed

Question 26

How do the labels get across the washing instructions?

Answer 26

Using simple pictograms linked to the washing process.