The Giant Disconnect Between Ground Reality and Boardroom Activism
💼 ESG: The Boardroom Darling
In corporate towers across Mumbai, London, and New York, executives nod in agreement over Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) reports.
PowerPoints with green graphs. Pledges signed. PR videos shot in filtered sunlight.
But while the boardroom pats itself on the back for “sustainability goals,” the daily wage worker in Tiruppur, the weaver in Varanasi, or the cotton picker in Maharashtra wonders:
“Where’s my next meal coming from? And how does this ‘ESG’ help me exactly?”
🧶 Case Study: India’s Weavers vs. ESG-Speak
Let’s take the Indian handloom sector—romanticized in documentaries and CSR brochures.
- Weavers still earn ₹150–₹250 a day.
- No PF. No ESI. No fixed buyer guarantee.
- No voice in how their stories are told in ESG reports.
Now contrast this with fashion brands who write glowing ESG claims, like:
“We work with 5,000 artisans to revive traditional heritage.”
What they don’t say:
✔️ Zero fair wages
✔️ No contracts
✔️ Profits 10x what the artisan earned
✔️ ESG = Exportable Storytelling Gimmick
🌍 Global Glimpse: The Same Movie, Different Language
- Bangladesh:
Garment workers produce for top Western brands under “ethical sourcing” labels, but many still face 12-hour shifts, harassment, and wages below living standards. - Africa:
Organic cotton farmers in Benin are hailed as “climate heroes” in global ESG reports. Yet many lack irrigation, crop insurance, and stable pricing. - Latin America:
Coffee pickers under “sustainable farming” initiatives still report forced overtime and unsafe conditions—masked under certifications no one on the farm understands.
⚠️ The ESG Irony: When Sustainability Becomes Elitist
Today’s ESG strategies are often:
🧾 Data-driven, not human-driven
📊 Measured in carbon offsets, not human dignity
📈 More about optics than outcomes
This creates a twisted irony—where a firm can proudly claim carbon neutrality by cutting costs on packaging, while ignoring the carbon-heavy commute of a minimum-wage weaver who can’t afford city housing.
📢 What the Daily Wage Worker Would Actually Say
Let’s imagine if a daily wage worker were invited to the ESG board meeting:
“Don’t teach me ‘sustainability.’ We’ve reused cloth for generations. We grow our food, mend our clothes, and waste nothing. You just named it ESG.”
🔍 Real Reform > PR Stunts
If ESG is to mean anything beyond corporate greenwashing, it must:
✅ Include daily wage voices in policy
✅ Ensure fair wages and livelihood security
✅ Move from token partnerships to true co-creation
✅ Shift focus from “How we look sustainable” to “How we live sustainably.”
👣 At Save Handloom Foundation, We Say:
True ESG begins when you sit beside a weaver, not just write about one.
We push for:
🧵 Transparent pricing
🧵 Blockchain-backed Digital Product Passports
🧵 Artisan storytelling by the artisans themselves
🧵 Fair trade, not fame trade
🪔 Final Thought
The next time you read a brand’s ESG commitment, ask:
“How many weavers, workers, or farmers were part of this plan?”
Because sustainability without equity is just another boardroom fantasy dressed in organic cotton.