The Dissonance Between “Big Fashion” Discourses and Nepalese Garment Workers’ Environmental Voices

This article explores the views of hemp apparel workers in Nepal from social, cultural, economic, and environmental perspectives. Through interviews with workers in a producer network, the study reveals the workers’ persistent environmental anxiety, which has motivated them to actively engage in climate action and collaborate with micro-ethical and sustainable fashion labels to create environmentally friendly products. The workers’ economic profiles were investigated, including their earnings and take-home share based on the value addition of the commodity (hemp) as it moved through the links of the global value chain. The study highlights the workers’ highly developed ecological consciousness, advanced ecosystem understanding, and desire to participate in community-building activities. These characteristics challenge the fashion industry rhetoric that low-wage workers prioritize economic development over environmental concerns and underscore the importance of analyzing the funds at different stages to understand how value and payments are distributed throughout the chain.