1.
Compare the conditions for garment workers you saw in the film to those in factories in the U.S. in the early 20th century. How are they similar and how are they different? Compare the conditions for garment workers to conditions for factory workers in the United States and other Western countries today. What is the difference? What do you think makes conditions better in some countries? What allowed workers in the West to secure better working conditions, higher salaries, health insurance, and a chance at entering the middle class?
“The True Cost" documentary sheds light on the harsh conditions that were faced by the garment
workers within the developing countries. Mainly in Asia, as they were producing some clothing for the western consumers. When comparing these conditions to those in factories in the U.S. and
in the early 20
th
century, we are going to have to take a dive into the similarities and differences. Things that I noticed were a part of the similarities between Garment workers and Early 20
th
Century. Long hours stood out to me as workers were faced with excessively long working hours. Those shifts were between 12-16 hours, and you have and can see that today with some shifts being worked that long. Another thing that stuck out as well was low wage pay, wages earned by garment workers today in some developing countries are somewhat comparable. Unsafe working conditions is another one to point out that both have in common, it’s hot and buildings weren’t in stable condition to work in. Being exposed to all toxic chemicals and dangerous machinery was a big downfall as well. Safety measures in the early 20
th
century were a huge issue as well.
Secondly, to get into the differences between the workers and early 20th century one topic I will be focusing on is Legal Protections. The laws were different from the 20
th
century to how the Garment labor laws and regulations in the western countries are today. The 20th century had less minimal legal protection than at the time. Organizations such as the unions and workers within the movements in western countries played a huge role in trying to secure better