I really think the people of Bangladesh will continue to suffer until we in the western world require basic information about where the clothes are made. My husband has the idea of creating a clearinghouse that would list each factory making a product, and gives basic information regarding working conditions, worker pay and benefits. We definitely need some way to make better decisions about which clothes to buy. I don't believe that companies like Walmart will change their practices without pressure from consumers. But the people living in third-world countries need us to step up and demand fair treatment for them.
The wages in Bangladesh would still be low compared to the US or Europe. But they should be required to provide safe working environments and a reasonable-length workday. Maybe 8 hours would be too short, but 12 should be the max. And workers should have some protection if they are injured on the job. Some of those factories are very dangerous for workers.
It's going to take some demands from us in America to change things for the people in countries who make our clothes and other consumer goods. We have to be willing to pay a little more, and let corporations make a little less profit. But we can still have cheap clothes even as we pay people a living wage in their country and don't expect them to risk life and limb to work.
Tell me what you think.
Update: After posting this, I decided to look into the company that made the items I bought, and send them an email if necessary. It turns out that JMS, the company that made my $5 t shirt has an extensive fair trade policy and has zero tolerance for worker abuse or harassment, including the right to organize. You can read more about this policy at: http://www.hanesbrandscsr.com/california-transparency-act.html. So I learned that if I search out the information, I might still be able to find providers who sell good products at a reasonable price!
Update: After posting this, I decided to look into the company that made the items I bought, and send them an email if necessary. It turns out that JMS, the company that made my $5 t shirt has an extensive fair trade policy and has zero tolerance for worker abuse or harassment, including the right to organize. You can read more about this policy at: http://www.hanesbrandscsr.com/california-transparency-act.html. So I learned that if I search out the information, I might still be able to find providers who sell good products at a reasonable price!
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