Bangladesh Garment Industry Negotiations Affect Global Fashion Giants

In Bangladesh, millions of

In just a few years, the South Asian country, which has 150 million of the population, is already among the world's largest exporters of clothing. However, the recent clashes between garment workers and manufacturers have highlighted the "bruising" of the domestic garment industry.

In July 28th, a Wage Commission, which was temporarily constituted by three representatives from the government, garment manufacturers and trade unions, will announce the results of the labour negotiations.

Will the treatment of garment workers in Bangladesh improve?

On the 22 day of last month, tens of thousands of garment workers in the industrial area near the capital city of Dhaka took to the streets to protest against low wages.

The demonstration is a heavy blow to the emerging manufacturing state.

Finally, whether the labor negotiations can reach the result that both sides are willing to accept is still in a state of disunity. It also affects the nerves of some international business giants, such as WAL-MART, H&M and so on, and even affects the global clothing market.

After visiting many garment factory workers, Agence France-Presse reporters found that many garment factories violated local labor laws, such as arrears of wages, forced overtime work and even abuse of "lynching".

Bergum told Agence France-Presse that the factory had not paid her for 3 months. When she went to the manager's theory, he was brutally treated by the manager. "He hit my head on a sewing machine."

The scar left on her head still seems to be telling about the painful experience of that day.

Bangladesh government, garment industry representatives and industrial representatives are still negotiating salary increases.

The Union called for raising the minimum wage to 5000 Taka, equivalent to $75.

But the manufacturers are opposed to the pay increase plan.

The head of a garment workers union believes that if Labour demands can not be satisfied, workers may take to the streets again.

"Do you know how much the rent is? Do you know the price of food? And they earn only 1662 TAC cards a month.

How can these workers live on this money? "He said.

Domestic labor conflicts have also attracted the attention of senior government officials.

This week, Premier Wajed asked the growing garment industry to make concessions to workers at parliamentary meetings.

Wajed said, "the owners of garment factories profit from this industry, and they share the benefits with their employees."

She's against this field.

But the owners of the garment factories do not seem to be willing to compromise.

Farooq Hassan, acting president of Bangladesh garment manufacturers and Export Association, said Bangladesh was unfairly slandered in terms of wages.

"Our competitors, such as Kampuchea and Vietnam, pay wages to their employees as much as we do."

He said.

Agence France-Presse analyzed that even if the employers and employees finally reached a pay increase agreement, it would be a difficult problem to implement.

According to Bangladesh official statistics, although there are laws expressly stipulating, nearly 1/4 of garment manufacturers have not complying with the standards set by the state in terms of minimum wage, working hours and working conditions.