As the holiday season approaches, Black Friday looms large, ushering in one of the busiest shopping days of the year. For many, it's an opportunity to snap up bargains on everything from electronics to fashion. But what is the real cost of those steep discounts, and who is paying the price? Beneath the excitement of flashing sales and deep discounts lies a darker truth of human rights abuses.
Black Friday’s low price deals often means that ethical considerations are overlooked, and this can have serious consequences for workers in the global supply chain. From garment factories to electronics assembly lines, the pressure to meet demand at record-breaking prices often results in exploitation, poor working conditions, and human rights violations. While consumers enjoy the thrill of saving money, the workers who make these products are subjected to unsafe conditions, low wages, and long hours.
Exploiting Workers for Cheap Clothing
Fast fashion is a major player in Black Friday sales, with retailers offering heavy discounts on the latest trends. However, the drive for low-cost apparel often comes at the expense of workers in countries like Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam, where labour laws are weak, and workers' rights are frequently ignored.
In these garment factories, workers—often women—are paid a fraction of a living wage to produce clothing in high volumes. Many work 12-hour shifts in unsafe, poorly maintained factories, where accidents and workplace injuries are tragically common. The tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh in 2013, which killed over 1,000 workers, is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by the pursuit of cheap production. While some brands have since pledged to improve safety standards, the reality is that workers continue to face exploitation as they churn out clothes to satisfy the insatiable demand for bargains.
The Human Toll Behind Electronic Devices
It's not just clothes that are impacted by Black Friday sales—consumer electronics are another major category that sees huge discounts. However, the production of these devices is also marred by human rights abuses. Much of the raw materials used in electronics, like cobalt and lithium, are sourced from regions where child labour, unsafe working conditions, and environmental destruction are rampant.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), for instance, cobalt mining—essential for powering batteries in phones, laptops, and electric cars—has been linked to child labour. Miners, including children as young as seven, work in dangerous conditions, often in small, informal mines where collapses and accidents are frequent. Despite the growing demand for ethically sourced materials, many tech giants still rely on these unethical supply chains to manufacture affordable products.
The Environmental Impact: The Overlooked Consequence
While the human cost of Black Friday is often discussed in terms of labour exploitation, there's another pressing issue to consider: the environmental toll of cheap goods. The relentless pursuit of low-cost production often leads to environmental degradation, with factories discharging untreated waste into rivers and ecosystems. The textile industry is one of the largest contributors to pollution globally, responsible for enormous water consumption, chemical waste, and microplastic pollution.
Moreover, the mass production of disposable electronics contributes to e-waste—electronic devices that are discarded after a short period of use. These products end up in landfills, where they leach toxic chemicals into the soil and water, further harming communities and the planet.
A Call for Ethical Consumption
As Black Friday approaches, it’s crucial to consider the true cost of the bargains we pursue. While the deals may seem tempting, they often come at the expense of vulnerable workers and the planet. By being more conscious of our purchasing habits, we can make a meaningful difference in the fight for human rights and sustainability.
Here are a few steps we can take to mitigate the impact:
Support Sustainable Brands: Choose companies that are committed to ethical sourcing and fair wages. Look for certifications like Fair Trade or B Corp that ensure workers are treated with respect and paid fairly.
Invest in Quality, Not Quantity: Rather than buying into the consumer culture of overconsumption, focus on buying fewer, higher-quality products that will last longer and reduce the demand for cheap labour.
Buy Second-Hand: Thrift shops and second-hand stores offer a sustainable alternative to fast fashion and reduce the pressure on garment factories to churn out more clothes.
Advocate for Change: Support organisations and campaigns that are working to improve labour conditions and environmental practices in industries like fashion and electronics.
A More Conscious Black Friday
Black Friday doesn’t have to come at the cost of human rights. As consumers, we have the power to demand better conditions for workers and a more sustainable approach to consumption. By making more conscious choices and supporting ethical brands, we can help ensure that the deals of Black Friday don’t come at the expense of people or the planet.
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