Garment workers in the capital of Bangladesh, Dhaka were striking out against low wages. Factories that supply to Zara and H&M were closed from Saturday last week.
Such a strike will have long term affects of the countries economy. Garment work accounts for 80% of annual export earnings worth £10bn. That’s a hefty chunk of change, but guess what? The average worker only earns 2000 takas which is around £30 a month.
How would you feel if your country had a £10bn pie of which you only got the crumbs?
This could be changing. The government has agreed to increase the monthly wage to 5000 Takas which is £48. VICTORY!!
It’s a shame things had to get out of hand and 30 people had to be injured for the government to finally wake up!
Factories opened up again last Tuesday, with workers resuming work but only under the assurance that these changes will take place by July.
Imagine if the workers did not go back to work. Who would make our clothes? And how would Zara and H&M stock their shelves? It makes sense to give the workers a fair share of the profit, as without them the brands wouldn’t have anything to sell. Fashion wouldn’t exist.
What would £48 buy you for a month?
this is the reason why we decided to work with fair trade cooperatives when we started our fashion company bibico.
ReplyDeleteTo view our collections of fair trade clothing please visit our site www.bibico.co.uk