Why “B Corp” Doesn’t Always Mean Fair Production

Many brands claim ethical production with B Corp certifications - but in Portugal, small workshops are often underpaid and overworked. Here’s why real fairness goes beyond a logo.

1- The Hidden Side of “Ethical” Fashion

Many fashion brands today proudly carry certifications like B Corp. They talk about transparency, fair wages, and sustainability — but few know who is actually sewing their clothes.

In Portugal, a country known for high-quality textile production, most brands don’t work directly with small workshops. Instead, they hand over production to large factories or agents who then subcontract the work. The result? The small workshops — the ones doing the real work — are left with tight deadlines and minimal pay.

(Image inside our small workshop in northern Portugal, where every Seapath piece is carefully made by local hands.)

2- When “Fair” Becomes Unfair

Here’s how it usually works:
A big brand hires a large factory or agent → that agent distributes the work to smaller workshops → the price per piece drops at every step → and by the time it reaches the workshop, there’s barely any margin left.

Small workshops, like ours, often can’t afford to pay more than Portugal’s minimum wage - which today isn’t enough to rent a home in most cities.
That’s the uncomfortable truth behind many “ethical” collections.

3- The Limits of Certification

B Corp and other certifications can encourage better practices, but they rarely look deep enough into subcontracted work. They measure policies, not realities.
They can’t guarantee that the people actually making the clothes earn a fair living.

True fairness doesn’t come from paperwork - it comes from direct relationships and fair prices all along the chain.

4- Doing It Differently

At Seapath, we don’t go through agents or big factories. We work directly with our small local workshop in Portugal.
We know the people who make every sweatshirt and T-shirt. We agree on fair prices and realistic timelines.
For us, ethics is not a marketing claim - it’s a daily choice.

5- What Real Ethics Means

Fair production means:

• Paying enough for workshops to stay viable and pay fair wages.

• Respecting time, craft, and human effort.

• Building long-term partnerships, not one-off cheap orders.

It’s not about having the biggest certification — it’s about having the smallest distance between the brand and the people who make the clothes.

Final Thought

Sustainability is not just about organic fabrics or nice words.
It’s about fairness, transparency, and respect — from start to finish.
Because a logo can’t make fashion ethical. People can.

 

👉 Learn more about how Seapath designs and sustainably makes every piece in Portugal.