Sweatshops: Deadly Fashion | When Rich Fashion Bloggers Went to Cambodia | Fast Fashion Documentary

Three young Norwegian fashion bloggers spend a month living the life of Cambodian sweatshop workers in Phnom Penh.
Frida, Anniken and Ludwig live, breathe and dream fashion. They spend hundreds of euros every month on clothes and make a living promoting the latest catwalk trends. Except for speculation that factory workers must be ‘used to’ their hard lives, they have never given much thought to the people who make their clothes.
Now, they’re trading their comfortable lives for those of Cambodian garment workers. As well as working in the factories, they have to survive on $3 a day. But this is no exploitative doc aiming for shock value. It poignantly shows the consequences of cheap fashion.
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[@rachelbandoy2860]

This documentary deserves thousands of likes than those shopping haul videos.

[@nightreader1264]

Social media is making this worse- especially companies like H&M, Wish, etc. young folks have so many clothes- especially the hauls of shopping on You Tube.

[@Lisa-my5sy]

Social media is making everything worse

[@carpy1252]

"Their lives suck because we live so well"; Ludwig is a smart dude.

[@RM360CR]

The live well for now remember how norway got so rich this people assume norway was always rich it was not they got rich with oil and toxic salmon farming but climate change is here nothing stay the same.

[@k.s.421]

not that can't be the answer. The answer is: "their lives suck because companies like H&M, Zara,Mango etc. live so well. The make huge profits of it.

[@zekeyeager1458]

@@k.s.421 but then you must ask yourself who feeds into the game they play? I can’t comprehend the number of people who consciously buy things made using slave or forced labor, and I’m sure neither can you. That rabbit hole could use an entirely different video though.

[@Agaettis]

the fact that she says its okay, because they're used to it isnt okay! No one should have to get used to this!

[@EllisKaiLab]

once you grew up in this society, you're more likely to just be used to this and be okay. I'm not saying you're wrong. I just noticed that the mentality in developing counties are "worker" mentality - we have to get good education to be hired by big companies - it's not really common for a child to be trained to be a businessman unless your family has a business. it's rare for a kid to be encouraged to become an inventor or build business from scratch when he grows up. it often has to be to become employed. yah I hope we can get past this usual mentality and be able to find better careers.

[@nataliel1806]

I cried so hard and respect these people for going to see this unfair situation for themselves. This isn’t something you get used to its something you’re forced into. So glad they were willing to see and share the hard truth. I cried so hard and I hope we can do better for the people who make our lives better without us even knowing what they go through

[@P.oliver380]

We need to send young Americans to work at these factories. Specially these influencers who advertise fast fashion brands to others… walk a mile in these Camidians factory workers shoes and you will never buy from these companies again.

[@RM360CR]

why to make a show about it because nothing will change its only PR the true change is comming when mother earth shut this entire world economy so people realize what is really valuable let them enjoy their last days of their priviledge life soon the world will be a different place very different..

[@alanpotter8680]

This is still not that bad. Check the sweatshops that produce electronics. Apple's sales haven't dropped.

[@pricklypear7516]

Here's the problem, Paula: Let's say all of us westerners suddenly got a dose of enlightenment and stopped buying cheap, disposable fashions. What then? Sotki and hundreds of thousands of workers like her would be out of a job altogether. And "not buying from these companies" just means that the upper echelons of the industry will work fewer laborers even more ruthlessly, and those laborers will have no choice but to compete with each other for even worse wages and conditions. It's a dreadful situation when even our best intentions backfire on the folks who can least absorb any attempt to change for the better.

[@fighterdove4937]

I agree with this to walk a mile in thier shoes. Because like they said you don't know how bad it is until you see it

[@roryhanlon927]

@@pricklypear7516 Yeah that's the difficult issue. A bad job beats no job to put food on the table. More positively, Cambodia has experienced rapid economic growth since this has been filmed, hopefully they can use the export dollars to transition into something better.

[@mariaharrington8708]

One thing I didn’t like is them saying “ they must be used to it”. A body aches no matter what! It’s just they have no way out so they don’t complain, but they hurst just the same

[@studywithclair]

horribly ironic that i got two temu ads on this video. jesus

[@buketproductions]

Heartbreaking and infuriating.. theres just no excuse for these people being treated like slaves 😣😢😡

[@ps123fan]

the elites dont care... its sad ): and if some do care, it takes to long of a time. the politicians are corrupt. these conditions are proof of it.

[@slw4410]

There's just no excuse for no one being treaded like slaves.

[@tikoakinney6644]

​@@slw4410 horrible 😢

[@kimberleyjones704]

This has really opened my eyes, we all know it goes on, but when you see it, it’s so disgusting, I’m actually ashamed of myself that I bought into it.

[@Kirkwoodclay]

I don’t think I’ve cried this hard in a long time.

[@ashotofmercury]

"......to say that they're not badly off because they're used to it, I couldn't say that!" Thank you! Honestly, those two girls!! 🙄🤨🤦🏻‍♀️

[@BeckBeckGo]

So I found these comments interesting too. Part of me knows that this is true in a sort of privileged way. I never knew, for example, what a proper mattress felt like until I got to a point in my life where I could buy one. I couldn't have imagined how nice it would be, and it was so nice! I didn't know what I was missing precisely, but I still knew I was missing it. Otherwise, i would never have known to buy one when I had the money, yeah? Something told me I was missing out. Something told me that my bed wasn't comfortable enough. (And my god, it was NOT.) I think you get used to what you know. That doesn't mean you are totally unaware that better exists. You may not know what that better experience feels like. But you know, at least intellectually, that it can get better. And every time you wake up with a stiff neck or tight hips, you wonder if something better would have prevented it. I think too, they're kind of right in that their bodies get used to hard work. In the same way you could say of a more fortunate person who puts their body through abuse too (like an athlete). I used to walk two hours to work, and then back two hours after. I could have taken the bus or cycled, but I wanted the exercise, so it was a choice. I did it every day that I worked the year I had the job. And I remember people I knew asking me how I could manage it. Some shifts didn't end until midnight. I mean, I could because my body got used to it and my mind was set on walking as my transportation. But if i hadn't had that choice, I think that even though my body would have gotten used to it, part of me would still hate it. I think you can get used to anything. You can toughen up to anything. You can become strong enough that any strain becomes easy on your muscles. That's not the same thing as comfort, though.

[@petraarkian7720]

I kinda appreciate this perspective. As someone very privledged financially but I live with severe chronic illness and pain and am bedbound in a dark room for 2 years now. When my illness started and I would have 1 day like this I would beg for death, now I mostly don't think about it and am focused on what I can do (occasional crafts and online advocacy for mutual aid and chronic illness). But just because I am used to being in pain doesn't make it less painful. It doesn't make me want to be better any less. I just have accepted my reality.

[@jennycheng3245]

Thank you for making this documentary so that we in the west aware of what going with the people that make our clothes or products. it’s really sad to hear their story. I’m not going to buy any more clothes for the next 4 or 5 years, except one or two winter outfits if I needed to. God blesses the people of Cambodia.😢

[@cranberry420]

I'm living a very priviledged life, I am aware of that. I think documentaries like these should be shown at school, honestly. So many people are unaware of how life really is for so many people around the world -A Finn🇫🇮

[@greendodgy]

Too bad Anniken isn't using her blog to focus more attention to this now. Or does she have a separate blog page about it? I couldn't find it, but my Norwegian isn't that great.

[@ivabogdanovic2033]

Probably just another disgusting way to selfpromote. Girl still works for 3$ just as those priviliged 3 live their rich empty lives. In their (white-Grey) huge apartments with fresh flowers... ...just as Bob said it wisely GOTTA SERVE SOMEBODY... 🎶

[@chrism5792]

It's real, and that's the hard part. Makes me think about my decisions about what I buy more and more. Their stories and faces is the hardest part. H&M, Zara and others need to take responsibility for this tragedy/crime against humanity.

[@AmbientSoundsToEnjoyYourSleep]

I'm sorry but h&m and other companies are profiting from their low wages. The lower the wage the more profit the company gets. And the government's of these countries aren't working on the living conditions of their people because they will stop getting profit from that too. They raise the wages - the companies will go to a place where the labour is cheaper.

[@marek1911]

Some are born to sweet delight Some are born to endless night (Auguries of Innocence by William Blake)

[@slw4410]

Now I want the book.

[@esthersowell3340]

Lord 🙏🙏 have mercy that poor young lady is crying her eyes out wishing she could make a change for those people its so sad and heartbreaking when we throw away so much food 😢😢😢

[@safe-keeper1042]

Yeah, their reactions really hit me. So ignorant and blissfully naive in the beginning and then reality hits like a sledgehammer and they dedicate themselves to help. So much empathy.

[@safe-keeper1042]

Love this documentary so much.

[@dajiajay]

Thank you for sharing this!

[@LucasSouza-xq1xe]

I watched this 7 years ago and I wonder how their lives are right now. If the bloggers are more aware of everything they learned and if this worker got better job conditions or whatever

[@MaryPoppins-tu1ms]

The same in Cambodia, Bangladesh....And Norway still selling farmed salmon full of poison--over the world...

[@theblondeone8426]

I love to watch this and commend this effort my husband is filipino I am american and seeing the difference in standard of living is insane it never gets old to me

[@nhanm2561]

Every kids should live this experience before starting an adult life. It's a lesson of a life time!

[@BeckBeckGo]

My daughter is six years old. And I've decided already that she's taking a gap year when she graduates. And we're doing this together. (I get it's important, but I can't let her live it alone)

[@robsonsophie]

@@BeckBeckGo Nobody should live this experience and by forcing yourself on their country you’re not only justifying it but displacing people from their already insufferable daily routines. Poverty tourism is not the answer. They are human beings too and they don’t exist in poor conditions just to make others (yourself and children) grateful for your more privileged existence. Instead the very least you can do is simply stop buying fast fashion etc. for yourself and family and spread the knowledge with everyone you know. Then you can really begin to fight against corruption and greed that causes the exploitation of these people in the first place. It’s simple supply and demand, and the world certainly doesn’t need people like you (privileged) demanding the maintenance of poverty so you can remember how good your life is.

[@MrBiskit66]

Why is it 2022 and this video has less than 400 likes but almost 17,000 views? Come on people!!

[@eat_my_boloz3422]

This hit me hard. Thank you for opening my eyes further to this injustice.

[@WojskowyZydel]

Them repeating it's okay, people here are used to it... You don't need to know there are better options to know that you're suffering or in pain using what you have

[@rebeccaredhead7144]

This program was so insightful, thank you. We need to do better, we can do better. People's lives are depending on it.

[@sanstar5779]

There's only one option and it is to changes in economic policies

[@petraarkian7720]

I feel like the documentary crew should have paid Sokty's family a lot for her participation. Enough that she should have the opportunity to get an education. Yes it doesn't change the global situation. But if we as advocates do not pay fairly to people in the global south how are we living our values?

[@t26817]

Thank you for bringing awareness to the public. But I saw this group sleeping in this lady's house, eating with them. Why you did not record what YOU DID for HER?

[@robinhazell6019]

I was a bit shocked to see that with your $9, you 3 went to a supermarket which the textile workers would never even think of using. Cambodians, Loatians, Thais and Burmese are known for ther smiles. But a smile can have a hunderd meanings, it doesn't mean hat they are happy. Lastly, the comments at the end by H&M were an uteer DISGRACE. 100% lies. Western companies use cheap labour to maximise their profits.

[@marianavarro3111]

This is truly a tragedy to live just to survive and not to truly live everyone should have the right to know what it is like to know what happiness is truly like .😢👈💯💔🌈

[@acemany1126]

Well folks, its 2023 and aint a damn thing change. Their wages might went up to between $5 and $7 but so have the price on everything. I appreciate the three people to took their time and went there. However, the people in my country can only do better once the King of the country steps in to help. The people also need to step up in every factory and do a walk out. Anyhow, IDK how to solve it but my people need to stop being afrayand die for what is needed for the future if our kids.

[@NoOne-ik9fo]

When was this filmed?

[@JackieLarose]

Smart girl, I do the same I don’t buy from American retail because out of anyway just saw them back to you just got be aware of bugs

[@isabeljaramillo3835]

Do young people from Norway never travel or read the news? These kids are truly embarrassing, even from a North American perspective.

[@AnDo-mb6pk]

Fast fashion companies are not only putting people who make clothes for them at risks but also yield immeasureable profits from consumers. one of the worst thing these fast fashion companies are doing is churning out too much waste in many landfills all over the globe which is becoming a huge global waste issue right now. Young people in the West have got to stop being fashion victims and start being fashion concious.. buy what you need and stop buying seasonal trendy rubbish.

[@chrismoyler]

In the factory, was that the normal food that the workers eat? Or was it brought in specially for the visitors?? Tky

[@wolf2912]

One thing is that i dont know if this phone i am using now is made by sweatshop or my clothes how can we help them ?

[@grovermcgee7083]

Doing the same thing over and over again is literally any factory job anywhere

[@EllisKaiLab]

I think the work flow in factories are like that normally and I can't think of any other way to make it better - you just focus on one task (or part) the whole day, 1 hour lunch break and maybe 2x 10 minute restroom break. you get one task and find your rhythm instead of thinking of a lot of tasks and managing more sophisticated workloads. so I can't say they shouldn't be doing the same thing over and over again for the whole day/shift. but I wish they have better ventilation, equipment and ergonomically sound working areas. I am aware that the wages are small but I didn't expect the food in supermarket to be too expensive for their wages. I wonder if there are government programs for workers that's in effect elsewhere in their country like career training (like for coffee making, call centers, cellphone repair, welding, etc) I wish they'd be given more opportunities and more career options and their wages standardised. I think tax and public health care weren't asked in their interviews here (maybe that would have been too broad, ok) I have always lived in cities - metro and developing ones. I see factory workers for garments, chocolates/sweets, electronics and tires and I think they're doing good. some of them even buy iPhones (some are pre-owned) and I don't - I heard they talk to their boss to help them start a line. I think they save up a little then ask their boss to issue a payslip with higher salary to show the cellphone service provider that they can pay. then they would spend less on other daily expenses to pay off the monthly bill for the phone. the government have minimum income tax exemption but there are tax in goods and services. I don't think the public health care is fee - maybe it is free for those "poorest of the poor" but is a salary deduction to workers. I think about 10 to 30% of my salary goes to health care, housing and other insurance/retirement. I'm still at minimum wage so I don't play income tax. going back to the topic, the business owners want more income so I think an increase in price of the finished products won't immediately reflect on the factory workers wages. workers wages is just a fraction of the cost of production and marketing and I think it is the easiest to control. perhaps offering these workers better career options might help. I hope they can get better jobs.

[@AllAmericanBabe]

I’m thankful to be born in America even with everything it comes with socially.

[@sookwilson5926]

This was made in 2015, a lot has changed I am sure. Is there any updates on the developments since this trip's interview? have they done anything else to help these workers or it was just to post it on their blogs/KZbin for self promotions? The worst part of the consumers behaviors are that people buy cheap cloths to wear it once and throw it away, it ended up in the land field of Africa, South America and eastern Bulgaria where the poor burn cloths to stay warm because it's cheaper than woods, the burn toxic chemical harm the environment and the residents. We can buy cloths, but just be aware of how cheap cloths are made and wear it longer before discard it. I visited Phnom Penh in Sept 2018, just for 1 nights, and continued on to Siam Reap. I remember the traffic jam, the local said that the supermarkets are for the rich and foreigners working there. The locals can only afford the street market. I believe the pro life people want more life into this unfair world, so that cheap labor can produce goods for the rich.

[@user-pb4vf1jt6f]

Life is like this in cambodia😊😊

[@LeannsAdventures]

This why I avoid fast fashion now. Invest in pieces that will last you or buy second hand.

[@cheeese_sandwich]

At the start of the video I got a shein ad

[@BeckBeckGo]

I will say that other than the flies and worms, that lunch looked delicious. I lived in Asia briefly (rural China), and yeah, that's a nice balanced lunch. I just worry people don't get enough of it, even if it is not sitting out for vermin to lick and poop on.

[@AmyNoelonDyslexia]

I’m shopping at thrift stores from now on.

[@bellaamaral1117]

i got an shein ad on this video, jesus

[@blackcamaileon5480]

It is clear that the Big chains care more about the profit then the aftermath of the underpaid! … What a shame!!! BC

[@fallenking2719]

I wantn't a life like this

[@axolotleatspancake4919]

As an Asian, I always wonder why I can microsleep everywhere. Now I understand why. Because I work? LOL Anyway, SUPERB documentaries!! Just subscribed! ❤

[@carpy1252]

Seeing how skinny they are over there, I never really thought maybe it's not by choice.

[@ninalumiere145]

Even though their food is healthier than american food, they can't eat properly

[@carpediem6147]

Wow m

[@euphiemiadrake5633]

Blood sweat and luxuries the remake

[@lmarteen2778]

I bet they are still buying expensive clothes, knowing what they know, and have experienced!

[@alwayslive7460]

IT IS MADDENING THAT THERE IS SO MUCH GREED. IF WE BOYCOTT RETAIL PROVIDERS FOR CHEAP CLOTHES, THE WORKERS GET LAID OFF. IF WE DEMAND AN INCREASE FOR THE WORKERS... BY PAYING A BIT MORE FOR CLOTHING, SADLY IT IS DOUBTFUL THE INCREASE WOULD REACH THAT FAR.

[@user-nq2zg2jo8y]

❤Sweat❤

[@utkua]

Some people justify this because this is their only income, the fact is, this is their only income because they want to exploit them. Their countries do not lack resources to feed them, they just cannot access them because of enabled local exploiters. Only real way to deal with this is not buying this stuff, forcing governments to add quotas and taxes.

[@raulgonczy1858]

Those kids seen to be selfish and they dont know what actualy Happens in the world , that is realy bad That is the truth no more words

[@raulgonczy1858]

They are Kind of stupid to , i was thinking she will say that she is happy omg for real man

[@katchrist_]

Why don’t they fight for labor laws!!!!?????????!!!!!

[@karisphone3729]

So you did a documentary on these people and their lives are still the same.

[@bellaamaral1117]

and some will say capitalist worked :(

[@StuartWhelan-up8vs]

I get rescue dogs then l have to out plus l never had parents that would support me in a room my whole life

[@78bollox]

Reality Bites. Feel sorry for them kids but the path to understanding the world is not an easy one. Also why are they using USD... They should be using Cambodian Riel, bit irresponsible of the show makers... And I hope the show producers rented the Cambodian Lady's apartment for 6 months and gifted it to her

[@BeckBeckGo]

It was interesting to see their bad purchase choices. Buying tinned soup is very expensive. Buying bouillon powder is much cheaper. Or, if you can get some meat, buy some meat with bone on, and use the bone to make broth. (This can be expensive too, but you can also buy bones for broth.) And a supermarket in Asia? You're better off buying from a street vendor in many cases. This wasn't a fair comparison. Because in Norway, supermarket is probably less expensive than a local stall vendor. But in many countries, supermarkets are for those who don't need to worry much about money.

[@ilikenuggets1248]

Just a bunch of snobby kids trying to make a video to get some views. They’ll go back to their big houses and still buy too much clothes and throw most of it away. Nothing will change 🤷‍♀️

[@slw4410]

Or, they're not snobby at all and really wanted to make the videos to make an impact not just for views. I'm not snobby but know some very rich kids who actually don't spend excessive amounts of money on designer brand clothing and just buy the basics like myself. I too get the word out about these well to do big clothing companies and how their workers should at best, the bare minimum make a decent living wage. Something will change. Instead of being one sided on this issue how about you do the same and downsize your spending on expensive items and put the word out. Things Will Change.

[@PrincessHVHHDSSS]

Thank you for sharing this sad, aweful, terrible truth. Love Princess Holly of Australia hairdresser, saved by the blood of Jesus Christ Son of God 🕊🌳🍀🌲

[@mmmo4579]

Exploitation at its finest!

[@morlarav602]

lol

[@MadeInChinaLoI]

Idc im gonan keep buying cheap shit

[@dadominos1078]

The consequences of capitalism

[@lukahjoubert9057]

The blonde girl is insufferable

[@safe-keeper1042]

Wow, aren't you just a ray of sunshine

[@BeckBeckGo]

Anniken? So far, I find her very observant and a lot less dismissive than the other girl.

[@outercast9532]

It's normal to find trolls in every videos comments.

[@34powerman]

clothes are all made the same if you pay 10 dollars or 600 dollars 9 times out of 10 the cheaper just say a jumper the cheaper one will last longer then the most expensive people are just been brain washed into buying expensive items they don't need. people wasting money on trying to look rich. all my clothes iv on me now cost about 50 dollars shoes jeans shirt under clothes and a jumper iv had these for years. iv many items I got about 10 years ago like jeans go for colors that don't go out of fashion if you care about fashion which I don't give two craps about I'm not a sheep.

[@BeckBeckGo]

So this isn't true necessarily. It is with the high end "luxury for its own sake" brands, yes. But there are clothing companies out there that make technical gear, things like gore-tex coats or certain kinds of shoemaking. These garments are much, much better quality, the stitching is better, the garments are crafted with work and harsh conditions in mind. I ski, and there is a huge difference in experience and comfort between wearing a "fashion" snowboard jacket and a properly crafted layer system (wool base layer, insulating mid layer, goretex outer shell) HUGE difference. I could not ski all day long in the former. But can do it easily in the latter. Similarly with hiking boots. Cheaper ones don't offer breathability, comfort, or waterproofing that many higher end ones do. But, interestingly, if you get a pair of army issue desert boots from an army navy store, you'll get a very, very good hiking experience, and they're bite- and sting-proof. So I always recommend these for desert or hot-climate trekking. Now, that being said, many of these companies also use sustainable and humane manufacturing practices too (I'm looking at you, Patagonia :) ). Which also contributes to a jump in price.

[@supportblue9508]

No English!

[@Sejdr]

Plenty of English in the subtitles!

[@sct4040]

Egocentric.