This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
"The local owners, the brands, the government, their positions are all the same on this. They know that if (large numbers of) workers get organized, they will have to start listening to them."
Corporations rely on Bangladesh for some of the lowest wages anywhere. One observer calls it "the cheapest place under the sun."
Labor activists say factory owners, international retailers, and government officials want it kept that way.
IGLHR assistant director Barbara Briggs said:
"In our experience these sorts of issues will continue to arise, as long as brands in the US and in Europe are able to go around the world and do business on the basis of a race to the bottom.""Over and over again we see companies have made lovely codes of conducts, but are workers' rights being respected? No."
No one can live on sub-poverty wages. Occasional raises don't match cost of living increases. Labor code of conduct standards exist in name only.
Bangladesh prioritizes garment industry growth. Expect sweatshop wage slavery to expand with it.
Stephen Lendman lives in Chicago and can be reached at Email address removed .
Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).