Introduction:
Two terrible tragedies occurring within 7 months of each other in the Bangladesh garment sector killed over 1,200 workers and galvanized the world’s attention around the issue of worker safety in the country. Global retailers, foreign governments, and international organizations were spurred to action. These stakeholders launched several parallel initiatives to improve fire and building safety and efforts are underway to inspect every garment factory in Bangladesh. While many remains to be done to ensure that all of Bangladesh’s factories are safe from fire or collapse, the mechanisms are in place, the political will exists, and vigilant observers are watching every step. But ultimately, workers are best placed to oversee their own safety, and their empowerment to do so is best achieved through independent, representative labor unions. Unfortunately, union presence is still nominal and collective bargaining is virtually nonexistent in Bangladesh’s garment industry. A few small programs are working to change that, but far more will be required if Bangladesh’s workers are to have truly safe, healthy, and decent working conditions. Principally, a fundamental shift in attitudes toward collective bargaining and the right to organize is required among all stakeholders, especially factory owners, global brands, and the government of Bangladesh. (more…)
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