8 US Congress members urge AAFA to back fairer wages in Bangladesh

The signatories—Ilhan Omar, Jim McGovern, Jan Schakowsky, Raul Grijalva, Barbara Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, David Trone and Susan Wild—stressed on the need for AAFA's robust backing for fair compensation among Bangladesh's garment sector workforce.

The letter is endorsed by IndustriALL Global Union, Academics Stand Against Poverty, the Asian Pacific American Labour Alliance, Institute for Policy Studies—Global Economy Project, Labour Behind the Label, Oxfam America and Workers United.

"As you know, the recent wage increases announced by Bangladesh's wage board, which would not even meet the rising cost of living, have led to extended mass protests. Police have responded with violence against protesters and trade union leaders, resulting in at least four deaths, numerous injuries, and a wave of unjust arrests, detentions, and indefinite factory shutdowns," the letter reads.

The letter suggested the Bangladesh government to respect workers' rights to peaceful assembly and collective bargaining without intimidation or violence.

Highlighting the unrest resulting from wage negotiations falling far short of sustaining livelihoods, the letter says US brands need to exercise their influence and stand alongside workers in demanding better wages and rights for families in Bangladesh.

"Brands with factories in the export processing zones (EPZ) sector should note that EPZs have their own Minimum Wage Board, which has just recently been constituted. Brand engagement can play a critical role in ensuring that the EPZ wage-setting process does not follow the same disastrous and unfair path as in the garment sector outside the zones. There is still a chance for a better outcome that will not trap EPZ workers in poverty for another five years," the letter adds.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)