One thousand one hundred and thirty five.
1135 is the amount of people who went to work one morning in Dhaka/Bangladesh in April 2013 and never came back. Just like every other person, they wanted to make money to take care of they families and have a future. So they worked insane hours in the most horrible conditions and were separated from their families for many months to somehow make ends meet. They remained unseen until this day in April when their factory building collapsed and buried them under it.
Why should an incident that happened so far away from our home turf touch us?
These men and women were making clothes, shoes, bags and other kinds of accessories we enjoy buying from companies with big names. They suffered and sadly lost their lives to provide a luxury that we so often don’t even know how to handle.
This tragic incident has touched people all around the world and compelled them to take action. Things like the Fashion Revolution Week that wants to raise awareness for this issue that includes us all.
They speak about where we buy our clothes and how much we actually need.
They ask big labels to be more transparent about their production line and a look behind the scenes.
They push for legislation that is beneficial for both producer and consumer.
They help us understand the ugly truth: We are the ones who benefit from this broken system, so we are also the only ones who can change the system.
Maybe it makes you uncomfortable to think about these questions.
Maybe it takes a bit of work to do your research before you buy.
Maybe you will have to give up a bit of comfort to change the way you buy and consume.
Maybe this topic touches something inside of you that you rather stay away from.
A sense of responsibility.
A wind of change.
A nudge to action.
A step towards transformation.
That’s the day they become seen.
That’s the day their voice becomes heard.
And it should roar like a lion, demanding a change.
Writing for Five Minute Friday today.
There are many ways for you to participate in the Fashion Revolution Week (and beyond).
Ask the brands you wear #whomademyclothes.
Choose companies that produce ethically (a list can be found here).
Buy second-hand or go to a clothes-trade.
Think about how much you really need and treasure what you already have.
thisiskatha.com 
Thanks for speaking up and raising awareness of this. It is important to consider how our choices impact others.
Very eye opening. Great thought provoking questions too.
We should really see them,
who make what we consume;
they are more than a well-sown hem
or the product of the loom.
They clothe us in our beauty
and for weather, what we need
is provided by their duty
forced by another’s greed.
Sweatshops of the past, my friend,
have not yet gone away
but we close our eyes and pretend
that our servants’ lives are gay.
If we take their hard-worn callused hand
we may begin to understand.