The garment industry is a valuable industry that supports Bangladesh’s economy. Recently, the industry has seen its primary income severely impacted by the global impacts of COVID-19. There are about 4825 garment factories scattered across Bangladesh. On top of the already detrimental economic consequence of the cancellation of these orders, some Western companies are refusing to pay for the orders already produced within these factories. This has resulted in millions of workers losing wages, described by. The President of the BGMEA The Guardian has reported that over 1 million garment workers have lost their jobs since COVID, while workers who are still employed are experiencing deteriorating conditions, it is not uncommon to see workers have late payments or none at all for extended periods of time. The average shift is approximately 15 hours; the average workweek approximately 6-6.5 days out of the week. Due to these extreme hours and low salaries, it is not unusual for workers to sleep, eat, and bathe at the facilities.
Bangladesh relies on fast fashion to support the economy, with garments accounting for 80% of Bangladesh’s exports. Within this, the garment industry is responsible for 11% of the nation's GDP. Yet for such an essential form of economic stimulation, with up to 3.5 million garment factory workers, the working conditions vary enormously. The consequences of this unpredictable pandemic have resulted in the average garment factory worker being exposed to increased financial stresses. In some cases, workers have lost their income and accommodation. These factors have been the consequence of fast-fashion brands cancelling orders, due to the restrictions of Coronavirus impacting their businesses.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exports Association (BGMEA), which represents factory workers, announced in April that $3.5 billion dollars’ worth of garment orders to 1025 factories had been cancelled (Fibre2Fashion News Desk). On top of the already detrimental economic consequence of the cancellation of these orders, some Western companies are refusing to pay for the orders already produced within these sweatshops. This has resulted in millions of workers losing wages, described by The President of the BGMEA. The Guardian has reported that over 1 million garment workers have lost their jobs since COVID, while workers who are still employed are experiencing deteriorating conditions. It is not uncommon for fast-fashion companies to pay suppliers weeks or months after delivery, opposed to per order. In consequence of having orders, garment factories are often not being paid for orders, including those which have been fulfilled months prior, leaving them even more financially behind.
The Workers’ Rights Institution surveyed 300 garment factories in Bangladesh this year and reported that 6% of factories had 100% of their orders cancelled. 46% of these factories have had proportions of their orders cancelled. . Of the workers who were fired, only 20% of them were given severance pay and over 70% of workers were sent home without pay. As this data was compiled from only 300 garment factories, so the reality would be much more detrimental if all factories had been surveyed.. When western brands ‘pick back up,’ there will be an increased demand for garments. Additionally, overcrowded factories will be high-risk spaces for spreading the virus and as a result, the consequences for these workers could be catastrophic.
No Sweat is an organization that is against sweatshop labor, standing up for independent trade unions and quality working conditions. One of the company's campaign members, Jay Kerr explored illegal Bangladesh garment factories, which was documented for the Ethical Consumer. Learning that these illegal factories could operate so publicly, he was informed that government inspectors didn’t often visit such factories, and when they did they were often open to bribes.
No Sweat produces a range of garments in Oporajeo, a worker-owned factory in Bangladesh, that was organized by survivors of the Rana Plaza fire on April 24, 2013 that killed 1134 people. No Sweat provides workers with decent conditions and wages ‘well above’ the minimum wage (nosweat.org.uk). In response to COVID19, No Sweat have switched their production from T-shirts to medical masks and aprons. These are created in Bangladesh and then used to aid local hospital efforts. For employee’s safety, they have sent home the ‘majority’ of all workers, while having basic salaries covered at this time. For both workers and the community, a rationing facility has been set up to aid with possible food shortages and stresses.
The impact of Coronavirus in Bangladesh is serious and deserving of attention. It is extremely important and valuable to support production and employment frameworks that meet ethical standards and to educate people about the way clothing is produced.