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Exploitation of garment workers has led to violence - experts
09 Nov '09
2 min read
Recently at a meeting held between the labour ministry, garment manufacturers and a few representatives of the workers, it was decided to introduce trade unions in the garment sector, to help solve complex labour issues amicably.
Four days after that the Prime Minister of the country which addressing the delegates of the 20th Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition 2009, she appealed to the apex trade bodies of the garment manufacturers to implement the minimum wages as agreed upon in 2006.
All these concerns from different quarters have risen due to the growing trend of workers to go on strike and also indulge in violent activities. In a recent incident police fired upon protestors in which three were killed and over a hundred injured.
According to experts from the sector, the frequent agitations and violence indulged in by the workers is due to the exploitation of workers by the factory owners. Either they are paid low wages or owners close down factories without paying benefits due to these workers.
They add by saying that the garment workers are grossly underpaid for the efforts and time they put into their work and many of the factories also do not pay overtime as per the rules, while others do not have any welfare measures for the workers, particularly the women, which makes up for a major part of the workforce.
This exploitation has led to a feeling of despondency amongst the workforce which is now resulting in violent strikes, conclude the experts. The government as well as the garment unit owners are putting the blame on vested interests which are out to demean the industry.
Four days after that the Prime Minister of the country which addressing the delegates of the 20th Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition 2009, she appealed to the apex trade bodies of the garment manufacturers to implement the minimum wages as agreed upon in 2006.
All these concerns from different quarters have risen due to the growing trend of workers to go on strike and also indulge in violent activities. In a recent incident police fired upon protestors in which three were killed and over a hundred injured.
According to experts from the sector, the frequent agitations and violence indulged in by the workers is due to the exploitation of workers by the factory owners. Either they are paid low wages or owners close down factories without paying benefits due to these workers.
They add by saying that the garment workers are grossly underpaid for the efforts and time they put into their work and many of the factories also do not pay overtime as per the rules, while others do not have any welfare measures for the workers, particularly the women, which makes up for a major part of the workforce.
This exploitation has led to a feeling of despondency amongst the workforce which is now resulting in violent strikes, conclude the experts. The government as well as the garment unit owners are putting the blame on vested interests which are out to demean the industry.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India
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