Instead, she was working in a garment factory cutting denim for jeans, destined for countries like ours. Nasrin would work 12 hours a day and had cuts all over her hands from poor equipment. “My boss uses bad language when I cannot fulfill my duties quick enough. The words cannot be repeated,” Nasrin said. “Sometimes I cry when that happens, but I look down, hide my tears with my scarf.”
Nasrin was expected to cut enough denim for 1,500 pairs of jeans a day, all to earn the equivalent of $1.80.
Girls like Nasrin shouldn’t have to work crazy hours in dangerous conditions to create goods for New Zealand. The factory she works in should be required to have health and safety standards – so the work isn’t harmful, and help is available when accidents happen. The introduction of modern slavery legislation in New Zealand is needed so girls like Nasrin are safe, rewarded fairly for their work, and can live in freedom.