“If the 3 ½ million mostly women garment workers win their wage increase, it will allow them to climb out of misery and at least into poverty.” (Charles Kernaghan, National Labor Committee)

The Bangladeshi Government has agreed to increase the minimum wage in Bangladesh by 80%. While you might think this is high enough, at first glance, it is unfortunately not sufficient enough to support the workers and their families. The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) has reported that staff and worker leaders at the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) have become victims of intimidation and harassment, with criminal cases filed; the government has issued arrest warrants “against hundreds of workers and several labour rights leaders.” (CCC)

As a result, the SA Bangladesh Project will continue to campaign in solidarity with these workers.

Check out our project page to get involved.

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“3000 Taka per month is still not sufficient to cover the basic expenses of workers and their families.” (Fair Wear Foundation)

AFL-CIO labor federation in the United States and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) in Britain (totalling 11 ½ million members) have released statements in support of Bangladeshi garment workers:

Click to read the AFL-CIO statement 

Click to read the TUC Statement 

You can also support these workers:

• through the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC)
• through UK based clothing company People Tree is running a “Humanity in Fashion” campaign to help Bangladeshi garment workers win their fight for an increase in the minimum wage. Follow the link to sign their petition.  
• and through Wake-Up Wal-Mart is calling for action through a massive email campaign: follow the link to send a letter to Wal-Mart.  

Mary F Hanlon

Mary has a PhD in Sociology from University of Edinburgh, researching responsible fashion and transnational labour rights activism in the wake of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh.