Breaking Fashion News: Global Protests Target Bangladesh Factory Violations

Global concerns and protest continue as concerned groups unite this Saturday to protest against multinational retailers that have yet to support improving labor conditions and safety protections in Bangladesh’s booming garment sector. Activists will stage protest around the world in major cities to draw attention and raise consumer awareness on safety violations and labor abuses in Bangladesh factories. These protests will coincide with U.S. campaigns against the working conditions of Wal-Mart workers in stores and warehouses.   Activists groups will stage a variety of protests and demonstrations  from Osaka, Japan to New York City.

Since the Rana Plaza factory collapse in April that took the lives of 1,100 workers, Bangladesh factories, as well as multinational brands have come under international scrutiny. According to the Death Trap campaign, about 50 international retailers have signed on to a proposed safety agreement that establishes a “binding contract between the brands and worker representatives that make these commitments enforceable —so the brands have to follow through, even if it means increased costs or longer turnaround times on orders.”

International retailers H&M, Esprit, and many other European retailers have signed on to the proposed safety agreement that would introduce a worker-led system of safety oversight. The big holdouts are American retail giants, Wal-Mart and The Gap.

—Staff