/ Fashion Myths Part 2: Factories are most responsible for low wages. ​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ False. The problem here isn’t that the factories aren’t paying their workers; the problem is that the brands are not paying their suppliers enough to cover their costs of production. As explained previously, brands squeeze suppliers for the absolute lowest price in order to maximize profits, and in turn suppliers are forced to squeeze worker wages to meet brands’ prices and to be able to pay for materials and their other costs of production. Sometimes a factory is forced to take an order at a loss just so they don’t lose customers. As we saw during 2020 and #PayUp, when brands canceled their orders, factories couldn’t meet any of their supplier obligations.​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Brands have the power to change this. These are multi-national, multi-billion dollar brands, that continue to profit while perpetuating these exploitative conditions.​​​​​​​​ ​​​​​​​​ Instead of one-sided codes of conduct, we need strong, binding legislation that holds brands accountable for their actions.