The real cost of our shoes (Tod's, Prada and Geox study)
The real cost of our shoes is the title of a report published in April this year, that it has tried to capture the entire journey of the supply chain for three major brands: Tod's, Prada and Geox.
The report comprises the analysis of these three brands, shifting production chains in order to reduce costs, the shortage of working rights, relocating production lines to Eastern European countries for more workers, for faster production time and much less payment.
The report can be found here: The real costs of our shoes.
The Clean Clothes Campaign has addressed both clothing brands such as Forever 21, Urban Outfitters, Walmart, Primark and Armani with a petition to change the labels such as "made in China", "made in EU" and to adhere to the Transparency Pledge by 31 December this year. The second petition issued by the Clean Clothes organisation was send to shoe-making brands such as Deichman, Camper, Prada, Birkenstock and CCC, with the same intention.
Their research shows that for example, from a pair of shoes, less than 1/3 from the this represents actual production costs, materials and salaries. In addition, many of the brands who relocated to Europe became a big employer for women, at a much higher percentage than men, very often applying underground economy principle through working hours (different pay for the total worked time) and salary schemes.
All these need to be changed if we really want a sustainable future. Our love for brands must not continue to be blind.
In my country, there is a saying: "It is the coat that makes the man, but it is the man choosing the coat", in the sense of selecting what you wear. Differently, it seems to make perfect sense here too, man or woman.
