CSR Bangladesh: The effects of the pandemic on workers

The clothing sector accounts for about 80 per cent of Bangladesh's total exports, the world's second largest ready-to-wear exporter. But the demands of the fast fashion system – flexibility, speed and low costs – weaken the situation of workers, who have no option but to work under difficult conditions for a very low wage.

Since the disaster Rana Plaza, Building safety in Bangladesh has been improved but the VOCID-19 pandemic has highlighted the vulnerability of workers.

This already difficult situation has been aggravated by the pandemic as some brands have suspended or cancelled orders, leaving thousands of people unemployed. Having suffered a fall or even a total loss of wages, the workers were subjected to severe stress.

The report stresses that in order to change the situation of workers in the sector in a sustainable manner, all levels of the supply chain must be made responsible:

• Bangladesh Governmentshould strengthen existing laws on the protection of workers and the functioning of trade unions (cf. CSR Bangladesh: Towards an Improvement of Labour Law?) ;
• The marks must ensure that their actions or requirements do not crush their suppliers, ensure that their factories comply with international labour standards and human rights and avoid cancelling contracts;
• Suppliers must put in place the necessary infrastructure to ensure safe working conditions;
• Trade unions must remain vigilant about respect for standards and rights;
• Consumers should inform themselves about working conditions in factories where their clothing is manufactured;
• The organizations In particular, new initiatives should be developed to empower workers and ensure their safety and facilitate dialogue between brands and local trade unions.

It is important to learn from the experiences of 2020 and to prioritise the worker and his safety, to create financial mechanisms to ensure the maintenance of liquidity and finally to intervene early by acting proactively to establish a meaningful dialogue between the parties concerned.

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