Help Bangladeshi Garment Workers in Need
2024 has been a challenging year for those who make your clothes. Garment workers in Bangladesh are struggling due to the consequences of economic, political, and environmental crises.
Low and delayed wages, rising living costs, and the ongoing crisis in the clothing industry are just some of the issues making life even harder for garment workers. It has become increasingly difficult for them to meet their basic needs.
Violent crackdowns on protests have led to deaths, job losses, and blacklisting, while victims of police brutality face medical expenses, and others deal with legal charges for advocating for fair wages.
Severe climate change impacts in 2024 have further disrupted an industry already affected by curfews, factory closures, and an ongoing energy crisis, harming livelihoods.
These are just a few of the challenges Bangladeshi garment workers are currently facing. They urgently need your help.
Your donation will provide direct aid to garment workers in need of medical treatment, legal support, and additional income for food and other daily necessities. Donate now and make a direct impact in their lives!
_________________________________________________________________________
Background
Bangladesh is the world’s third-largest apparel exporter, with garments accounting for more than 80 percent of the country’s total exports. No matter where you are in the world, it is likely that you have clothes made in Bangladesh in your wardrobe.
Even though garment workers are the backbone of the Bangladeshi economy and the trillion-dollar global garment industry, they are paid poverty wages and face numerous obstacles, including harassment, intimidation, and brutal violence. Additionally, they encounter legal hurdles when attempting to voice their demands for justice, fair wages, adequate safeguards, and improved working conditions.
In 2023, minimum wage negotiations took place in Bangladesh for the first time since 2018. After months of organising, many worker unions across the country rallied around one figure in a remarkable show of solidarity: BDT 23,000 (approximately USD 192) as the new minimum monthly salary.
Both manufacturers and the government responded to the workers’ demand with harsh and violent repression, which resulted in the deaths of four workers, hundreds injured, and thousands at risk of false arrest under at least 35 baseless criminal charges that left dozens of workers jailed for months. Many garment workers also lost their jobs and were blacklisted for their involvement in the minimum wage movement.
Despite the workers’ unified advocacy efforts, another poverty wage of BDT 12,500 (approximately USD 104) was set as the new minimum in November 2023. Under this new monthly salary, garment workers still struggle to cover their basic needs, especially with high inflation impacting the cost of living.
Most recently, in July 2024, students led demonstrations against the Bangladeshi government's employment quota system. This was met again with a violent crackdown on protesters, who faced attacks, arrests, torture and harassment, with more than 600 people killed, including at least five garment workers, and thousands injured as the police imposed a strict curfew with a “shoot-on-sight” order across Bangladesh.
Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who authorised the use of lethal force against protesters, fled toward the Indian border on August 5 and stepped down from her position. Bangladesh is now in a state of uncertainty, with Muhammad Yunus heading an interim government and elections yet to be held.
The two-month-long demonstrations, curfews, internet shutdowns, and ongoing energy crisis have led to significant economic losses in the RMG sector, especially from July to September 2024, the peak season for Christmas shipments and orders for the following summer and spring seasons. With tight deadlines imposed by brands and closures occurring during peak production, many factories forced employees to work excessive hours to meet these demands. This practice increases the risk of burnout and workplace accidents, pushing workers to their physical and mental limits.
Brands used delays in production as justification for cutting orders, shifting production elsewhere, and lowering supplier prices. When brands demand lower prices after orders have been placed, factories are forced to absorb these unexpected costs, which can lead to significant losses that ultimately impact workers’ salaries and job security.
To make matters worse, the country is also grappling with the climate crisis. In 2024, garment workers—like countless Bangladeshis and individuals around the globe—faced severe consequences from climate change. Temperatures soared to an unprecedented 43.8°C, the highest levels in 52 years. Over 20 million people have been impacted by climate-related disasters, including Cyclone Remal in May and devastating floods throughout the summer. These calamities have exacerbated the crisis in the garment industry by disrupting roads, supply chains, and access to materials, drastically affecting garment workers' livelihoods.
How your donation can help?
Awaj Foundation along with our sister union Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation (SGSF) has organised this fundraising campaign to provide direct relief to garment workers in need of medical treatment, legal support, and additional income for food and other daily necessities.
Your donation will have a direct impact on the lives of garment workers by enabling us to deliver essential services and support. With your contribution, we can ensure that these workers receive the medical care they require, access legal assistance to protect their rights, and the financial resources necessary to meet their daily needs. Your donation can make a meaningful difference in their lives.