Write By Example Of This Pietra Rivoli “Travels Of A T-Shirt In The Global Economy” Essay

In Chapter 15 of her book “Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy,” Pietra Rivoli tells the readers about the mitumba business in Africa. Mitumba is what the locals call the used clothes or second-hand business. In Africa, there is a small percent of countries, which allow it. Others have made it Illegal. Countries like South Africa have tried to impose laws to save their own textile industry but have only succeeded in driving the mitumba business into the shadows. People not having a “factory alternative” will always find ways to go around the law. Rivoli compares the situation with the textile industry in Africa to that of North Carolina and China. North Carolina lost to low-wage workers in China, whereas Africa lost to high wage earners of America who simply give used clothes away for free. Moreover, you cannot go no lower than free. Many people are of the opinion that in Africa people are embarrassed or humiliated by receiving used clothes, which is very untrue. The people there are delighted by the challenge and reward of their shrewd shopping. There is an opinion that the clothing Americans donate to charities, should be provided to the needy free of charge. However, this would deprive many Africans of income. Besides, charity organizations have their own problems. They are not equipped with sorting and grading equipment. They do not always distribute them on time. More so, there are plenty of warehouses where the clothes that are given away to charity is simply rotting and turning into rags. Using Africa as an example, Rivoli states that the used clothing trade is controversial, as there is hardly any evidence suggestion that the African textiles would thrive but for the mitumba import.