Ethical production encompasses manufacturing practices that prioritize fair treatment of workers, sustainability, and social responsibility. It involves ensuring safe working conditions, fair wages, sustainable sourcing of materials, and minimizing negative environmental impacts.
We need ethical production to promote human rights, protect the environment, build consumer trust, comply with regulations, and ensure long-term business viability. It’s crucial for creating a more just, sustainable, and resilient global economy.
Youth ki Awaaz and Oxfam conducted a survey on ‘ethical consumption’ in 2020 across young India to understand how people feel about ethical and sustainable consumption and, as consumers, how likely they are to choose ethical and sustainable products. A total of 8032 respondents took the survey. The survey was primarily conducted to identify the public’s attitude towards ethical consumption and to map their understanding, preference, attitude and purchasing decision towards consuming ethically/responsibly.
Majority of India’s youth wants the government to mandate ethical practices for industries
The survey results reveal that 71% of the respondents are aware of the concept of ‘ethical consumption’, which is a significant number. The above data indicates that the majority of respondents are aware that ethical consumption is crucial as it demonstrates a growing consciousness among consumers regarding the impact of their purchasing decisions. This awareness also suggests a potential shift in consumer behavior towards more responsible and sustainable consumption patterns.
The survey results also highlight that a majority (5959 + 2128), which is 74% of the total respondents, feel that the government should make it mandatory for all brands to follow ethical or responsible production. Consumers demanding government intervention highlight the importance of making collaborative efforts between policymakers and businesses for a positive change.
This sentiment in the respondents also reflects a growing demand among consumers for accountability and transparency in supply chains. It underscores the need for regulatory measures to ensure that businesses prioritize ethical practices, thereby promoting fair labor conditions, environmental sustainability, and overall social responsibility.
What could be the way forward:
From the above surveys, we can conclude that the government can contribute to sustainability and help consumers be ethical by making it mandatory for businesses/industries to follow ethical production.
To make ethical production mandatory, the government can:
- Implement laws and regulations that set minimum standards for ethical production practices, such as fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmental sustainability. These laws can be enforced through inspections and penalties for non-compliance.
- Provide financial incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, to businesses that adopt ethical production practices. This can encourage companies to invest in sustainability and social responsibility.
Hence, the survey findings underscore the growing awareness and demand for ethical consumption among young Indians, with a significant majority expressing support for government-mandated ethical production standards. This also highlights the urgent need for collaborative efforts between policymakers and businesses to promote ethical practices and ensure accountability in the supply chains of businesses. For more such youth-led surveys, follow Youth Ki Awaaz.
The featured image is for representation purposes only. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
Methodology for survey:
The survey method utilized a structured questionnaire distributed to respondents across diverse demographics in India. The survey was conducted in both English and Hindi languages where respondents could participate voluntarily. The questionnaire was crafted to examine respondents’ understanding, preferences, attitudes, and purchasing decisions pertaining to ethical and responsible consumption. Data collection was executed through online channels, ensuring anonymity of responses. Excel was utilized to analyze the collected data and draw conclusions by comparing it across different demographics.
The total sample size was 12,296 respondents. 65% of respondents took the survey in English, while 35% took the survey in Hindi. Of the respondents, 55% were women and 45% were men. Maharashtra accounted for 20% of the total, making it the top location followed by 12% in Delhi and 8% in Karnataka. Other states contributed to the remaining percentage of respondents.