New UK venture to donate to Bangladeshi garment workers

08 Jun '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

UK-based entrepreneur Cally Russell, who founded fashion shopping app Mallzee, has set up a venture called Lost Stock that allows shoppers to buy a box of clothing directly from Bangladeshi manufacturers, with almost 40 per cent of the proceeds of each box donated to Bangladesh through a non-profit organisation based there. The aim is to help jobless Bangladeshi garment workers hit by cancelled orders during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Russel’s co-founders in the venture are Callum Stuart and Jamie Sutherland. Bangladesh’s Sajida Foundation will help the venture.

Russell said Bangladesh is left with tonnes of unsold clothes in factories after British retailers pulled out of their contracts because of the force majore clause.

He said Bangladeshi workers were chosen in particular because they do not have access to a furlough scheme or social services safety nets that exist in the United Kingdom, according to British media reports.

Shoppers can buy a £35 box of clothes worth £70 after submitting details about their size and taste. The boxes will then be packed in Bangladesh and shipped to the United Kingdom. The shoppers cannot choose the garment pieces but the boxes will be tailored to each customer, according to British media reports.

The venture wants to help a lakh workers by the end of the year. Every Lost Stock box sold is expected to provide a food and hygiene package to support a family for a week.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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