Support For Bangladeshi Garment Workers!

Letter printed in the Morning Star.

Back the Bangladeshi garment workers

I am delighted that the Star has begun covering the plight and struggles of the 3.5 million Bangladeshi garment workers for a living wage.

Having just returned from Bangladesh and spoken with trade union leaders, members and non-members (union membership only stands at 100,000) I can assure readers that the workers are up for a fight.

Friday July 30 saw widespread protests including road blockages and attacks on the garment factories by workers frustrated by the betrayal of the Bangladesh government to legislate for 5,000 takka (£46) a month, implementing the minimum wage much lower at 3,000 takka (£27.50) - 92 pence a day.

Some union leaders have acknowledged acceptance of the pay award but readers need to know that there are 6,000 trade unions in Bangladesh with many of these aligned with very right-wing parties. The militant unions are standing firm for the full demand and it is they who should receive our support.

Workers Uniting has played a not insubstantial part in solidarity with the workers, including meeting the labour minister where we informed him that we would galvanise world opinion behind the workers if their just demands weren't met and particularly if violence was meted out against the protesters, who are predominantly - 80 per cent - young women.

I hope that the Star will give maximum coverage to this struggle and bring to readers' attention that it is companies like Marks and Spencer, Asda and Tesco which are responsible for the impoverishment of the Bangladeshi workers in their relentless race to the bottom in the global economy.

Steve Davison
Vice-Chairman, Unite