An international human rights group is accusing Bangladeshi authorities of harassing and intimidating labor activists.
During a protest last December, workers from 20 factories abandoned their posts and blocked roads in hopes of raising their minimum monthly wage from $67 to $187-200 USD.
34 people were arrested and the protesting workers’ request was denied. Activists have told media outlets that they’ve since come to face “systemic harassment,” including the government-shut down of local labor rights groups and police intimidation, which has forced many into hiding.
While government officials have yet to comment, the president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, Siddiqur Rahman, is claiming that all of the sector’s 4 million workers earn “bread and butter” from the industry, and that the detained activists represent a select few who seek to destabilize it for personal gains.
Despite Rahman’s claims, many factory owners and human rights group agree that for any real positive change to occur, global brands who source from Bangladesh must be willing to pay higher wages.
You can read more about it at The Washington Post.
