Textile and Apparel Industries

Investigating Modern Slavery in the Post-Pandemic Textile and Apparel Supply Chain: An Exploratory Study

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Abstract

Modern slavery (MS) continues to plague the textile and apparel (T&A) supply chain. This exploratory study investigates the state of MS in the T&A industry post-COVID-19. Using institutional theory, MS is explained as an institutionalized practice stemming from regulative, normative, and cultural-cognitive pressures. A thematic content analysis of 101 industry articles published since January 2022 was conducted. Four key MS factors were uncovered – labor exploitation, economic hardship, lack of worker representation, and poor working conditions. The most affected countries were Bangladesh, India, Cambodia, China, and Pakistan. Numerous major brands were found accused of MS practices. The research highlights the pressing need for supply chain-wide efforts targeting accountability, transparency, and stakeholder engagement to combat institutionalized MS. It calls for more comprehensive, longitudinal investigations into the root causes and prevention strategies for MS in the T&A supply chain.

Keywords: modern slavery, textile and apparel industry, fashion, social sustainability

How to Cite:

Rana, M., Jestratijevic, I. M., Rahman, M. & Siddiqi, M., (2024) “Investigating Modern Slavery in the Post-Pandemic Textile and Apparel Supply Chain: An Exploratory Study”, International Textile and Apparel Association Annual Conference Proceedings 80(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.31274/itaa.17417