Far from being a historical issue, modern slavery impacts an estimated 40.3 million people globally, including one in every 130 women and girls, according to a recent article published in the journal Energy Research & Social Sciences. Australian jeans brand Outland Denim was founded to bring an end to modern slavery by providing opportunities to people who have experienced or are vulnerable to human trafficking. It not only pays the garment workers at its factory in Cambodia a living w
g wage, but also trains them to make the whole garment, rather than a single part, making them highly employable. Outland Denim also provides its teams with access to mental health support and self-defense classes.
In an effort to raise awareness about the devastating impact of modern slavery, the brand released its first ever Sucker for Humanity t-shirt on Friday, July 30, which is World Day Against Trafficking in Persons. The t-shirt costs $90, the same average price as an enslaved person today.
We spoke to Outland Denim founder and CEO James Bartle ahead of the launch about the prevalence of modern slavery in fashion supply chains and what brands can do to stamp it out.
