The pandemic has aggravated the labor situation of women working in garment factories, whose rights are repeatedly violated, according to a study carried out by the University of Aberdeen in Scotland and the humanitarian organization Traidcraft Exchange UK. Many brands and large fashion firms outsource clothing production to developing countries such as Bangladesh, India, and Morocco, where workers' rights are almost nonexistent and the minimum wage is much lower than in the Western countries where they sell their products. In these factories, the workers, where the vast majority are women work in sweatshop conditions, working up to 12 hours a day for a wage of $3 per shift. Employees have no rights: they cannot take sick leave if they get sick because they risk being fired, nor do they have any vacation time. Nor do they have the right to form a union to defend their rights. Founded by Carly Burson, Laude the Label began with a mission to end family separation due to the economic disparities that women face in the textile industry. Having started with a group of eight women, it’s now grown into a worldwide community of 518 artisans. Specializing in clothing, shoes, jewelry, and personal accessories, Laude The Label empowers women to seek financial independence through a safe working environment and an appropriate living wage.
The brand measures success by impact rather than profits, as its main focus is moving forward with the sustainable fashion movement to a more humane approach, with people and the environment in mind. As a Fair Trade Federation member, Laude the Label actively promotes fair trade by raising awareness of the economic injustices that exist in the world today. Members encourage customers and producers alike to look into conventional supply chains and make informed decisions about where they make their purchases. In doing so, its members probe that trade can be a force for good, that ultimately improves overall standards of living in areas of health, education, power distribution, as well as contributing to the community’s environment. Built by Women, for Women Creating apparel that is made to last, Laude the Label’s design’s timeless pieces from high-quality materials, intended to last a lifetime in one’s classic instead of a landfill. The brand equally invests in the women behind such products. The majority of its apparel, all organic cotton and linen pieces are made in Jaipur, India, as well as in Guatemala and Peru.
In these countries, the artisans are paid a fair-trade wage which is 2 to 3 times more than the usual minimum wage they would otherwise receive. As a B Corp certified brand, Laude the Label has undergone evaluations of the highest rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability. Laude the Label strictly partners with groups that must abide by its Code of Conduct and Restricted Substance List, and every year the brand spends time in the studios and countries where its products are made to make sure that these safety standards are being upheld.