Clothing Industry Not Without Problems

Wednesday 02nd of September 2009 06:34:09 PM

Clothing Industry Not Without Problems

You would think the fashion industry detractors would be mostly concerned about fashion trends, but it is often the target of political or environmental groups. Gap and Victoria’s Secret recently discovered that some people are closely tracking their sources of products for resale. The two companies sell various clothing articles including lounging clothes, sweaters, dresses and under clothes. Like most clothing companies, many of the products are made overseas in emerging market countries.

In the US, Gap and Victoria’s Secret found the US Tamil Political Action Council (USTPAC) protesting their business practices. The group is protesting the support of the Sri Lanka clothing manufacturing industry because it says the government is suppressing the Sri Lanka population through the use of military personnel. The goal of USTPAC is to convince companies that import from Sri Lanka to boycott the country as a protest against government activities. It is believed that the loss of revenue to Sri Lanka could put pressure on the government to amend its ways because exports are a primary source of revenue.

The USTPAC spokesman said, "USTPAC welcomes this campaign by rights activists asking consumers to make the right choice by not supporting genocide. Sri Lanka is continuing its long-term attempt to destroy the Tamil community on the island and this effort is being paid for by American customers who buy clothing 'Made in Sri Lanka.' Tamil Americans are asking all Americans to say 'No' to what USTPAC call 'Garments for Genocide.' " It appears the European Union agrees with the group because Sri Lanka is on the verge of losing trade preference for clothing manufacturing.

The USTPAC spokesman added, "Currently 282,000 Tamil civilians are being held indefinitely in military-controlled internment camps in unsanitary conditions without adequate food and water, from which according to reports, many young people are taken every day to unknown destinations. The Times (UK) stated that an estimated 1400 civilians die per week in these internment camps from preventable diseases, as humanitarian agencies are not being allowed to provide sufficient aid."