Appeal for brand understanding over Bangladesh
Non-profit organisation Fair Wear Foundation, which works to improve labour conditions in the garment industry, has issued a statement about the situation in Bangladesh.
Following weeks of large-scale protests, Bangladesh’s prime minister, Sheikh Hasina, left her role and the country on August 5. The head of the army, General Waker-uz-Zaman, is leading an interim government.
Fair Wear Foundation has said that everyday life in the Asian country continues to be “impacted by violence and uncertainty”.
It said it was working hard to keep up with the “rapidly evolving” situation in Bangladesh and was “continuously updating” the 140 member brands that it works with.
It said: “Responsible business conduct is crucial at all times, but particularly in times of unrest. Brands must therefore adapt their risk assessments and sourcing strategies and practise responsible purchasing.”
It recommended that garment brands sourcing from Bangladesh engage with suppliers in the country as effectively as they can, when internet and phone connections are unreliable.
In any discussions that brands are able to have with suppliers there, Fair Wear Foundation said they should prioritise worker safety, extensions to production timeliness, no penalties to suppliers for delays, ensuring timely payments to suppliers so that suppliers can pay workers’ wages.
