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MILLION CHILDREN
IN CHILD LABOUR WORLDWIDE (2020)
The youngest workers in the supply chain.
Child labour is most prevalent in low-income countries. The same countries where fast fashion production is concentrated. Children are found working in spinning mills, dyeing units, and embroidery workshops, often exposed to chemicals and forced into long working hours.
Hazardous from the start.
Of the 160 million children in child labour globally, 79 million are engaged in work that directly threatens their health and safety. In garment supply chains, this includes exposure to toxic dyes, heavy machinery, and extreme heat, which are conditions that cause lasting physical harm.
Buying companies play a direct role.
Global brands shape the conditions under which production occurs through their purchasing decisions. When brands prioritize low costs and fast turnaround, they create pressure that drives factories to cut corners, including hiring children who can be paid less and are less likely to organize or resist.