Enemies of the Nation or Human Rights Defenders calls on retailers, factory owners and the Bangladeshi government to uphold workers’ rights and ensure that workers are paid a living wage.
Bangladesh’s 3.4million garment workers are the lowest paid in the world. Deadly working conditions and malnutrition wages have led to widespread worker unrest, which peaked in August 2010 following the announcement of a minimum wage increase to 3000 taka (£26) per month, not even close to the 5000 taka (£44) that workers and labour rights activist are calling for.
“We were forced to take to the streets as the owners exploited us right under the government’s nose. I have to spend Tk 1,000 for food and Tk 1,500 for house rent.”
- Garment worker
The report targets two major Bangladeshi factory conglomerates, Envoy Group and Nassa Group who supply (or have supplied) many well-known brands including Tesco, ASDA Wal-mart and H&M, for their worker rights violations and attacks on labour rights activists. Human rights advocates such as the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS) have come under constant pressure and persecution from factory owners and the Government of Bangladesh.
The filing of false charges against labour rights activists and workers is common-place. The report describes how Nassa and Envoy deal with workers who speak up at their factories by firing them, or orchestrating their arrest.
In August 2010, Labour Behind the Label called for urgent action in support of BCWS, following the arrest of its leaders Kalpona Akter, Babul Akhter and Aminul Islam on false charges of inciting worker unrest. One of the charges filed by a member of Envoy Group accuses Aminul Islam of assault, theft and vandalism at a time when he was recovering from torture at the hands of National Security Intelligence officers.
Kalpona, Babul and Aminul were released on bail in September 2010, however the charges against them have not been dropped. Furthermore, BCWS has had its legal status as a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) cancelled, putting the future of the entire organisation in jeopardy.
Take SweatFree Communities online action now and show your support for BCWS and other labour rights activists in Bangladesh.
Download the full report from the link below.
