One of the disadvantages of this type of production is that 93% of brands surveyed aren't paying garment workers a living wage (Fashion Checker, 2020). 
The Fast Fashion industry relies heavily on sweatshops and child labor in order to produce their items. They use foreign manufacturers from Asia, Africa, and Latin America since by doing this, American retailers are able to produce more clothing for less than if they were produced in the U.S. (Broadview, 2016) Unethical work practices also come into the picture when fast fashion is the issue at hand. According to an article from Broadview, many employees are forced to work shifts that span 14-16 hours for seven days with their total earning  being 15 cents per hour. 
The collapse of the Rana Plaza Factory Building in 2013 in Dhaka, Bangladesh gave way to the media being informed about the unsafe working conditions that these laborers go through. This tragedy has led to the deaths of at least 1,132 people and injured 2,500. Not only that, but five months prior to this happening, 112 workers (also in Dhaka) were killed by a fire inside the Tazreen Fashions Factory. There was no compensation paid in aplication of the labour code provisions on employer liability. (ilo.org, n.d)
Unethical work standards aren't the only issue with fast fashion as this industry is also famous for their exploitation of child labor, According to the International Labor Organization, there is a rise in child labor despite the 30% decrease from 2000-2012. These companies target impoverished children as these children believe that this is the way to support themselves and their families. Their wages are below the living standard so that while the production cost and wages are low, they are able to save these companies a lot of money. 
Another issue with fast fashion is its negative impact on our environment. Fast Fashion is the second most polluting industry on the Earth right after oil. In the name of reducing costs and production time, the ethical and environmentally friendly aspects of the fashion industry have been cut off. The Fast Fashion industry has become the second largest polluter of clean water. 700 gallons of water is used to make a single cotton shirt which is a waste considering that there are many areas in the world that don't even have access to clean drinking water. (BWSS.org, 2019)

Items