In Bangladesh, since 30 October 2023, almost 600 factories have been closed by the strike of textile workers, demanding three times their salary, currently around 70 euros per month. The police violently repressed this popular movement, resulting in the deaths of three people.
An increase from 70 to 104 euros in the minimum wage deemed insufficient
Under pressure from the national federation of industrial and garment workers, the sector’s minimum wage committee ended up announcing, on November 7, a increase in basic salary by 56.25%. Or €104starting in December, reports the Noveticobased in particular onAFP. This remains insufficient in the eyes of the unions, worried that they will not be able to demonstrate for much longer due to lack of savings.
The media specializing in sustainable finance and socially responsible economics cite a study by the Transform Trade association and the University of Aberdeen (Scotland). This shows that 70% of large companies sourcing from Bangladesh have maintained the same purchasing prices with different suppliers as at the beginning of the pandemic. In the West, however, we have observed an increase in prices, which cannot be blamed on inflation alone. In other words, brands are probably making an even bigger margin since then. H&M, Gap, Next, Primark and Zara are among the companies that have had “unfair practices” towards their suppliers, according to this edifying survey.
In Bangladesh the textile industry represents 3,500 factories employing four million workers, the majority of whom are women. This sector contributes 85% of the annual export value. It is the second largest clothing exporter in the world after China, the media recall Green, which gives the floor in particular to the expert Catherine Dauriac, president of the Fashion Revolution France association. In addition to the low salary of 70 euros which should therefore be increased to 104 euros, the exploitation in her opinion goes much further: ” Everyone – especially women – suffers moral and physical harassment for 16 hours of daily work, at an insane rate. »
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
