RRJ #3

Reference:

Morrissey, J. (2010, Feb 9). Textiles and apparel will play key role in Haiti recovery. Retrieved Feb 9, 2010. Textile World, from http://www.textileworld.com/Articles/2010/February/News/Textiles_And_Apparel_Will_Play_Key_Role_In_Haiti_Recovery.html

Summary:

On January 12th, Haiti had a terrible earthquake, so they lost most of their industry infrastructure, including textile and apparel manufacturers, even plenty of workers. Textiles and apparel are the most important industries for Haiti and Haiti has captured about 75% of the market. It also matters to the U.S because 82% of Haiti’s exports are going to the U.S. So the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) has created an organization which helps the recovery. They extend the trade expiration dates for supporting of preferential trade and aiding for Haiti. That will put Haitians back to work as soon as possible, and will help build the base of social and political stability.

Reaction:

The most important thing in Haiti's economy is job creation and normalization of manufacturers because most Haitians are the jobless. In that way, textiles and apparel industry is a kind of hope for Haiti. The fashion company wants to make products cheaper, but as labor cost is high, the company is looking for the place where their factory can be built. Haitian’s average labor cost is just 3 dollars.

It is crucial problem that Haiti’s factories destroyed. Not only because of their economy but also because of the whole company of the world. The company needs fabric and product which is filled up the shop. So they rush recovery of Haiti’s industry.

A few years ago, fair trade was a big issue in the fashion industry. Manufacturing nations worked in bad conditions and we wore clothes without noticing that. I read the book before, named ‘Where am I wearing?’, which is a story about where one’s clothes came from and who made them. We should know our favorite clothes is someone’s everything.