China

I'm starting my research on China.  When you google China garment worker information you get a large array of websites and articles.  There are quite a few sites talking about the benefits of China's labor force to help with production costs, etc.  Digging around I found a few interesting websites with information that I can't necessarily vouch for accuracy.  There was so much information that it makes me want to abandon this project all together.  I was thinking this would be a pretty easy project but I think it's going to take a lot more of my time and energy. 

According to www.statisa.com in 2014 the average China worker made the equivalent of $8,585 US Dollars.  However, according to a brief unverified posted tweet on www.wsj.com the average China Garment Worker makes anywhere from $165 to $265 US Dollars a month.  So, that's anywhere from $1,980 to $3180 in US Dollars a year.  Now, it does appear the cost of living is lower on most things (although according to this source ironically not clothes and shoes).  I found on www.goatsontheroad.com an itemized list of average costs in China.  The cost of living is so cheap there I'd think of retiring there.  Except when I remember there is the whole lack of freedom and no Facebook...

According to www.ilo.org which is the International Labor Organization (probably a pretty valid source of information) in 2012 38% of all clothing exports came from China. 

Next step - The International Labor Organization has a lengthy document concerning the current status of the garment industry which I will read and report back on it's findings. 

In the meantime I know it's only 17 days in the year but I haven't bought any clothes, shoes or purses not made in the US or at a place I'm assured a fair wage was earned.  This is NOT a statement of made in the USA or not at all.  It's really about making sure that I'm not contributing to the unfair treatment of garment workers wherever they may be.  I realize there are countless other places to protest for example farming.  I'm not entirely sure that if everyone did what I was doing it would be good for these underpaid workers either.  After all maybe some work is better than none.  At the end of this I might come to that conclusion.  With the exception of poor and dangerous working conditions - that is going to far in my opinion.