Our economy could be helped by simply buying American made t-shirts, instead of ones that are manufactured in overseas sweatshops. If everybody would buy from U.S. manufacturers, it could help ease economic concerns and American made t-shirts are made by several companies. There are many companies located in the United States that are beginning to manufacture t-shirts made from all natural products in keeping with going ‘green’. The purchase of t-shirts and clothing made in other countries is also an issue now with ‘sweatshops’ being used for cheap labor. Purchasing American made t-shirts offers many benefits over purchasing imported items.
If you buy USA made t-shirts, you showing support for your own country and keeping American workers employed. Overseas countries that treat their worker inhumane by paying them nominal pay, if at all, in addition to the grueling hours and punishments they suffer for non-compliance, should not be supported in any way.
The origin of the clothes is not something many shoppers think about before they purchase. They may change their shopping habits if they were more aware of the horrible working conditions these items are manufactured under and the consequences for American workers that may lose their jobs.
Adhering to a few pointers can assure that you are supporting American workers and buying American made t-shirts. USA made t-shirts that is manufactured under the Fair Trade system is one identifier. These products are made by companies that value their workers and practice fair labor items such as a fair wage, breaks when needed and sick leave without appraisal. Workers who are in the Fair Trade system are often lower income or poverty stricken people that are trying to earn an honest living through hard work.
The Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees and Hotel and Restaurant Employees International Union came up with the UNITE HERE label to indicate American made t-shirts. USA made t-shirts purchased with a Union label is a guarantee that the workers who made your t-shirt are treated fairly. They have a contract with the company they work for that ensures safe and fair working conditions as well as the wages they are being paid and benefits.
Clothing companies can be researched before you purchase. A very good organization to support in the United States are the cooperatives, which also are comprised of lower income individuals that make quality products from natural resources found in our country. By helping to protect the environment you are also helping low-income employees to support themselves. Co-ops also give some ownership to the workers and other individuals who ensure better working conditions while producing higher quality products than found in imported items. The products made are of a good quality because they take pride in the manufacturing process of a company they own.
Your favorite store can be the first place you start, when you decide to purchase American made t-shirts. Are the t-shirts you are purchasing American made t-shirts or is your favorite store using sweatshops for the clothing they bring to you? The Responsible Shopper Website is one way of finding out if the American made clothing are really made in the USA. They will indicate if any accusations made against them regarding working conditions of sweatshops, in the company profile on the website.
If you make sure the clothing you are buying is not made in sweatshops with unfair labor practices, you will also be supporting the companies that practice fair labor standards. We want to look our best in the clothing we purchase, or we wouldn’t have reason to buy it. Emphasis is on wearing name brand clothing and if American made t-shirts have the brand, this is all well and good. But if the brand you like is being made by children who are being mistreated and made to sit for hours without breaks, is wearing that brand worth it? Do some investigative work about the brands you like. Unfair labor practices will be stopped if these companies are unable to survive financially.