The demand for ethical clothing and other goods is swarming with every passing day, and now, a considerable number of retailers and manufacturers are looking for ethically bound suppliers for different products, and they also have sketched their ethical sourcing policy for this purpose.

According to the ethical sourcing polices of these retailers and suppliers, goods that are made by bonded, forced, or prison labour are not accepted. Similarly, they demand their suppliers not to hire children less than 16 years of age. They also ask their suppliers to pay fair wages to their workers, according to their work, and this wage must be according to the laws of the country, and it must also meet the set industry standards.

Furthermore, the suppliers cannot deduct the wages on other measure like disciplinary measures. The suppliers cannot take work of more than 48hours a week, and if in case they do, then overtime wages must be paid to the labourers.

An ethical sourcing policy should include that the suppliers do not distinguish the applicants, or the workers based on religion, country origin, gender, race, or caste. The working environment should be made comfortable by giving them proper rights, and protection. Some policies might include safety, and healthy training of the workers.

As people are getting aware, more, and more consumers are demanding of the ethically sourced products, and only buy those products, which satisfy them, for instance, body shop is one of such brands. This awareness is highest in countries like USA, UK, Germany, Switzerland, etc.

The retailers and the brands, in spite of global recession are moving towards the more expensive items, but those are acceptable by the consumers, as they are in line with the ethical sourcing policy. The brands have to work together with the suppliers to satisfy their customers, as the suppliers are directly dealing with the under privileged labourers.

There are different groups of consumers that have been forcing retailers to provide them ethically sourced goods, but now, even some governments, and trade unions have involved in the issue to make decent working conditions certain for the makers of these goods. Actually, during the recent past, some severe sort of media campaigns have highlighted the bad to worse working conditions in a large number of factories and farms, especially in the developing countries of the world.

When consumers got awareness through media, they stopped buying the goods of those companies, which made the brands chalk out their new ethical sourcing policy. As the attitude around the globe is changing, more and more brands and retailers are moving towards the ethical sourcing policy.

Sarah J Jones is a fashion designer. Buy new and stylish Linen Trousers with good quality at half price now at her recommended website at http://www.saharalondon.com.

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