THE EXPLOITATION OF FEMALE WORKERS BEHIND THE RISE OF THE FAST FASHION INDUSTRY

Abstract

Abstract

The rapid development of the fashion industry alongside technological advancements has given rise to the phenomenon of fast fashion the massive, rapid, and low-cost production and distribution of clothing to meet consumer demand for the latest fashion trends. However, behind its convenience, fast fashion carries serious consequences for women, particularly female workers who face exploitation in the form of low wages, excessive working hours, and exposure to hazardous chemicals. Using literature review as the primary method, this article aims to describe the exploitation of female workers as a result of fast fashion. The literature review is based on nine articles, analyzed thematically around the exploitation of female workers amid the rise of the fast fashion industry. Based on the findings from the literature reviewed, the authors divide the discussion into four aspects to identify the forms of oppression experienced by female workers due to fast fashion practices: working conditions, wage inequality, sexual violence and harassment, and the burden of women's dual roles. This literature review therefore contributes to the development of a gender-based analytical framework for exploitation within the global textile industry, while reinforcing the urgency of gender-responsive labor protection policies for female workers.

Keywords: Exploitation of Female Workers; Fast fashion Industry; Protection Of Female Workers

Abstrak

Perkembangan industri fashion yang pesat seiring kemajuan teknologi telah melahirkan fenomena fast fashion, yakni produksi dan distribusi pakaian secara masif, cepat, dan murah untuk memenuhi permintaan konsumen terhadap tren mode terbaru. Namun, dibalik kemudahannya, fast fashion membawa dampak serius terhadap perempuan, khususnya buruh perempuan yang menghadapi eksploitasi dalam bentuk upah rendah, jam kerja berlebihan, dan paparan bahan kimia berbahaya. Dengan menggunakan kajian literatur sebagai metode utama, artikel ini bertujuan untuk mendeskripsikan gambaran mengenai eksploitasi buruh perempuan akibat fast fashion. Kajian literatur didasarkan pada 9 artikel, dianalisis berdasarkan tematik eksploitasi buruh perempuan di balik maraknya industri fast fashion. Hasil temuan yang didapat literatur yang penulis gunakan, penulis membagi menjadi empat aspek untuk mengidentifikasi gambaran penindasan buruh perempuan akibat praktik fast fashion, yaitu kondisi kerja, ketimpangan upah, kekerasan dan pelecehan seksual, dan beban peran ganda perempuan. Oleh karena itu, literature review ini berkontribusi pada pengembangan kerangka analisis eksploitasi berbasis gender dalam konteks industri tekstil global, serta memperkuat urgensi kebijakan perlindungan pekerja perempuan yang berperspektif gender.

Kata Kunci: Eksploitasi buruh Perempuan; Industri Fast fashion; Perlindungan Pekerja Perempuan