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Scoop.it!
Editorial: Globalised business networks make well-meaning shoppers complicit in the exploitation of workers they are trying to help 
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Scoop.it!
Country offers cheap labour and manufacturing expertise – with often limited oversight
Graham Watson's insight:
G-Max, again: this Guardian piece looks at why wages in Bangladesh are so low, and whilst this is seemingly shocking, the underlying economics of this is more complicated.
In the first instance, Bangladesh is one of the most populous nations in the world, and it's labour force is low-skilled. Secondly, workers aren't coerced to work in these garment factories in most instances - it's a choice, and it represents a choice they've taken over all other available options. Thirdly, the cost of living in Bangladesh is remarkably low.
So whilst we'd want universal education and better working conditions in an ideal world, the reality is that this isn't going to happen.
However, if you do care about these issues, then you, as a consumer have the choice not to buy these items of clothing.
Katy Pineda's curator insight,
January 24, 2019 2:30 PM
Individuals in Bangladesh who are making the Spice Girls and Comic Relief shirts are being paid less than the local minimum wage. Bangladesh is such a popular area to operate because the individuals who are making the products are very skilled in clothing manufacturing and they offer cheap labor.
Unfortunately because they are getting paid so little, many workers feel the need to work overtime just to make ends meet. There are fire regulations and laws set in place but since there are so few inspectors, many inspections are not completed. The workers are aware of many issues but feel scared to report them due to retaliation. |
Scoop.it!
Bangladeshi firm that made charity Spice Girls T-shirts also works with major UK retailers
Graham Watson's insight:
And here are those UK retailers using factories paying 35p per hour...
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And the Guardian editorial on the issue...