The Real Price of “Cheap” — Talking Numbers in the Textile Industry
Hey there ,today we’re talking numbers.
Today, we’re talking about something most people don’t realize can never truly be called “sustainable” unless this factor is taken seriously: the people who make our clothes.
Someone has to pay for every garment produced.
And if it’s not you ,then it’s someone else.
We all know this, but most of the time, we either don’t want to admit it or we simply don’t care, because it’s not us who suffers the consequences.
And then comes the classic excuse:
“We can’t do anything against the system.”
Or even better:
“If we stop buying from them, they’ll lose their jobs.”
When I started Sancy, one of the first questions I always got was:
“Where do you produce your collection?”
And right after I answered “Portugal,” came the follow-up:
“Oh, why not somewhere else, where it might be easier or cheaper?”
Exactly — cheaper.
Of course, I know that. But this is exactly what I’m trying to avoid.
Not because it would be bad for me, but because it would be bad for someone else.
I decided to take the harder path, to “suffer” myself, so someone else doesn’t have to.
Because for me, every piece I own or create has always been special.
Even when I was still caught up in the “buy more, buy cheap” mindset, I loved my garments. After waking up from that illusion, I wanted to create something different.
We don’t need another brand that sells bikinis, we need brands that respect the people who make them.
Brands that create with love, for the girls, for the planet, and for the people.
Of course, a small start-up can’t change the whole system ,not even within one country.
But what we can decide is whether we are part of the problem.
Maybe we, the small ones, can’t do it alone.
But the big ones can.
And the people — the people can do anything.
We have the power. That’s why I’m writing this again, and I’ll keep writing it.
Because the truth is, in some countries, a worker’s monthly wage is smaller than the price of your “cheap” jacket.
Bottom 10 Countries by Minimum Wage in the Textile Industry (2019)
Minimum Wage vs. Living Wage
It’s important to understand the difference between minimum wage and living wage.
A minimum wage is the lowest legally allowed pay a worker can receive. But a living wage, according to the International Labor Organization (ILO), is the income level needed to cover basic essentials such as shelter, food, and water where a person lives.
The latest data collected from industry sources show that monthly minimum wages for garment workers vary dramatically — from as low as USD $26 in Ethiopia to USD $1,764 in Belgium (2019), with a global average of about $470/month.
A high minimum wage doesn’t always mean a decent standard of living. For example:
United States: Minimum wage $1,160/month, covering only 70% of the living wage ($1,660/month, 2018–2019)
Indonesia: Minimum wage $181/month, above the local living wage of $103/month (Davis & Lu, 2023)
This shows why it’s important to look at the living wage, not just the minimum wage.
Why We Produce in Europe
At Sancy, all our products ,from the fabric to the final packaging ,are made in Europe.
Not because Europe is perfect, or because the minimum wage here is “enough,” but because we choose to work only with certified partners who respect fair working conditions, traceability, and environmental standards.
It’s not about perfection — it’s about responsibility.
A Personal Note
Sometimes, I still have these discussions with people around me and even I know I’m not the most sustainable person in the world.
I also know that ethical products cost more.
But this is what we need: good products, not more products.
It’s all about mindset and I know how hard it is to change it, especially in the era of social media and the power of capitalism.
But we can try.
And if we all become just 1% better every day, that already means something.
With love,
Angela
References:
Davis, E., & Lu, S. (2023). Minimum and living wages in the global garment industry. University of Delaware, Fashion and Apparel Studies.
Public Radio International (2017). Global garment workers and wages.
International Labor Organization (ILO). Definition of living wage.