Fashion and Garment Industries in Bangladesh: Analytical Essay

Thesis Statement:

In Bangladesh, fashion and garment industries has become a large part of worker’s rights through rates of inequality practices, lack of infrastructure, terrible working conditions, and lastly, workplace safety and security. This paper will examine the challenges Bangaldeshi workers face by analyzing issues of worker’s rights, working environment surroundings and the safety of workers in garment industries of Bangladesh. Thus, I will recounting the role of garment workers through their involvement in industries of Bangladesh.

Reference List:

1. Ahmed, N. (2009). Addressing workers’ rights in the textile and apparel industries: Consequences for the Bangladesh economy. World Development, 37(3), 661-675. doi: 10.1016/j.worlddev.2008.06.003

In this article, it discusses the consequences of worker’s right in Bangladeshi industries regarding issues of welfare, employment and trade. Ahmed analyzes different methods in enhancing working environments and offering an increase in wages for Bangladeshi workers. Ahmed presents his method in an academic and policy setting by focusing on rules and regulations that can further enhance the experience of garment workers in Bangladesh. Furthermore, the extent of worker’s rights is an important aspect in exporting goods and products to countries that are developed. Thus, this research article will be useful to demonstrate advancements in garment industries of Bangladesh through enhancing proper and safe workplace strategies and applying fair wages for workers.

2. Cervant, J. C. (2006). Slaves of the stacked shelves. Le Monde Diplomatique: English Edition.

This paper examines an organization known as the International Labour Rights Fund that allows the growth of social justice and gives assistance for better work by providing and supporting international labour standards. Cervant discusses the use of a worker-led factory safety program for garment workers by educating and informing labour organizations as well as unions to build upon a safety program after the tragic incident of the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013. The author presents a historical argument on the case of garment workers due to the terrible disaster of Rana Plaza. In addition, many unions, consumers and organizations have raised awareness regarding safety concerns and strategies to compact this issue. Thus, this article will be used in my paper to address and highlight many campaigns that take initiative to target workplace safety concerns and inform employees of these situations.

3. Chakravartty, P., & Luce, S. (2013). May Day: Reflecting on Bangladesh factory disaster and corporate terror. Aljazeera. Retrieved from http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/opinion/2013/05/201351104516268273.html

Chakravartty explores various ways that positively change the garment industry in Bangladesh through the reduction of high rates of inequality practices for workers. It presents strategies that the garment industry in Bangladesh is trying to enhance regarding harsh conditions for workers, improving basic rights, and lastly implementing basic fire prevention methods in factories. This article attempts to present an academic and policy context, with the focus on positive changes for workers as well as positive changes for industries in a formal manner. Hence, this article will support my paper by examining various solutions and procedures in order to improve the safety of workers lives.

4. Chen, M. (2015). Yes, your t-shirt was ‘made in LA’- and the worker got 4 cents for it. The Nation. Retrieved from https://www.thenation.com/article/thejobs-that-were-going-to- leave-theyve-already-left/

This research article discusses the safety and health concerns of garment workers that has become a crucial aspect in industries of Bangladesh due to the tragic Rana Plaza factory collapse in 2013. Chen argues, due to industrial and trade policy discussions with the Rana Plaza collapse, many debates have arisen to further compact the issue of safety concerns. The author presents a historical approach that arisen because of the Rana Plaza collapse that killed thousands of people. Furthermore, these debates have evolved around topics of trade agreements, productivity and income. Thus, Chen’s argument will be applicable to further strengthen my paper by explaining the importance of safety and welfare for workers in Bangladesh.

5. Cline, E. (2013). Can fashion clean up its act? The Nation.

Cline states various strategies in which consumers can aim for wiser decision making choices towards their clothing choices. It also discusses many environment agreements on workplace safety that most large companies have signed and thus, demonstrates the connection between the stronger parts and the weaker parts about workplace standards. Cline presents his approach in an academic context with a great knowledge of understanding of people’s clothing choices and the decision one makes. Furthermore, Cline argues that consumers affect the mass-market clothing industry through becoming aware of their clothing choices and their buying habits. Thus, Cline’s article can be useful in educating people on different methods that can be used for consumers when making a wiser choice in fashion and the strategies that can be applied to everyday life.

6. Crewe, L. (2008). Ugly beautiful?: Counting the cost of the global fashion Industry. Geography, 93(1), 25-33.

This paper examines the fashion industry on a global scale and the use of fashion in different geographical locations. Crewe states that the idea of scale and relationality are major aspects that help us understand the significance of fashion and the industry. The author presents an academic context by demonstrating the connection between fashion and the difference in clothing among various locations in the geographical area. Furthermore, it explores different geographical locations in connection with the type of fashion within that area. Hence, this article will support my paper by examining various strategies in which fashion can differentiate on multiple levels of infrastructure in a geographical location.

7. Gallagher, C. (2017). Gender Relations and Factory Conditions in Bangladesh: Fatema and Halima’s Stories. Garment Worker Diaries, Microfinance Opportunities. Retrieved from http://fashionrevolution.org/gender-relations-and-factory-conditions-in-bangladesh- fatema-and-halimas-stories/

This article aims to understand economic realities of workers and the changing dynamics that workers face within factories targeted on poor working conditions. Gallagher argues that gender relations is producing larger economic opportunities for people living in Bangladesh. The author presents an academic approach by discussing issues of gender relations and conditions in factories of Bangladesh. In addition, it focuses on socio-economic empowerment for garment workers and their enrolment in Bangladeshi industries. Thus, this will be particularly beneficial in demonstrating the implementation of strong workplace rights for factories that are lacking in infrastructure and building safety.

8. Haque, M. Z., & Azmat, F. (2015). Corporate social responsibility, economic globalization and developing countries. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 6(2), 166-189.

This paper analyzes the state of corporate social responsibility in the garment industries of Bangladesh. The idea of a corporate social responsibility has become crucial for companies, businesses, specifically in circumstances of global spread of unequal and unethical conditions among businesses. The author presents an academic and policy context by focusing on policies that have an affect on the surrounding people and places. Haque’s argument becomes critical after the emergence of the Rana Plaza factory disaster in Bangladesh that raised awareness about poor governance as well as careless business practices. Thus, this article will be useful by demonstrating increase levels in corporate social responsibilities and improve regulations.

9. Hossain, N. (2018). Post-conflict ruptures and the space for women’s empowerment in Bangladesh. Women’s Studies International Forum. Retrieved from https://journals-scholarsportal-info.myaccess.library.utoronto.ca/pdf/

In this article, it discusses multiple critiques on the subject of empowerment and acknowledgement for women. It shows various ways in which the issue of gender inequality becomes developed in the economy on a global scale. Hossain argues that the development of women’s empowerment in Bangladesh is due to certain factors including economic and social characteristics that must change in order to strengthen power relations. The author presents a balanced argument critiquing issues on empowerment for women and providing ways that can improve gender inequality practices in Bangladesh. Thus, Hossain’s argument of oppression and inequality in women’s rights will be used to demonstrate the struggles that women in Bangladesh face and the challenges they must go through because of poor equality rights.

10. North, J. (2013). Bangladeshi Garment Workers Fight Back. The Nation. Retrieved from https:// www.thenation.com/article/bangladeshi-garment-workers-fight-back/

North argues that workplace environments and the importance of safety in factories is a way to improve the overall quality of a workplace. The author presents an academic approach through stating the significance of basic rights and human rights. Due to the tragic collapse, low pay wages and terrible working conditions become crucial in Bangladesh’s garment factories for many companies. It is crucial to analyze rules on textile and apparel, before consequences arise on production, employment and exportation. Hence, this paper will be used to demonstrate the importance of proper rules and rights as well as safety and security in a workplace for workers in factories.

11. Shaw, D., Hogg, G., Wilson, E., Shui, E., & Hassan, L. (2006). Fashion victim: the impact of fair trade concerns on clothing choice. Journal Of Strategic Marketing, 14(4), 427-440. doi: 10.1080/09652540600956426

This research article analyzes the affect of fair trade and how it assists equitable trade among agreements. The authors discuss the connection between consumers’ ethical objective in avoiding buying sweatshop manufactured garments and purchase actions and behaviour. The authors present a policy context in achieving fair and equal trade agreements through companies. Furthermore, it examines the impact of fair trade issues on various people’s clothing choices by generating trade gains for export industries as well as the economy. Thus, this article will support my paper by expressing the concerns regarding fair trade for many consumers.

12. Siddiqi, D. (2015). Starving for justice: Bangladeshi garment workers in a ‘post-Rana plaza’ world. International Labor and Working-Class History, 87(1), 165-173.

In this journal article, it explains the collapse in Rana plaza that led many retail factories in Bangladesh to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety. Siddiqi argues that due to the collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, it marked the emergence of rights for labour workers and the emergence of the National Action Plan on Fire Safety. The author presents a historical argument because of the time of the collapse that led to the death of many people. It explains the development of basic rights for garment workers and the steps towards making a positive change through these documents. Furthermore, this paper will be applicable to show ways in creating a positive step in Bangladeshi factories by implementing strict policies and rules as well as safety and security for workers in Bangladesh.

13. Vogt, J. S. (2017). The Bangladesh Sustainability Compact: An Effective Tool for Promoting Workers’ Rights? Politics and Governance, 5(4), 80-92. doi:10.17645/pag.v5i4.1093

Vogt analyzes Bangladesh’s government in providing fire and building safety tactics to provide safety and security for workers as well as basic rights including freedom of association. This article discusses ways in which implementing labour law reform can develop in industries of Bangladesh. The author presents an academic approach by stating procedures that companies can educate their workers in order to sustain a safe environment. Furthermore, Vogt explains the Compact as a way of improving its labour laws, and thus uses the Compact as a method to pass laws to the Labour Act in Bangladesh to pursue actions with worker’s rights for the better. Lastly, this article demonstrates many strategies used to reinforce basic rights and poor safety policies in the workplace and prevent dangerous fire hazards through the use of these basic fire prevention methods.

14. Walmart. (2016). Our commitment to the workers of Bangladesh. Retrieved from http://corporate.walmart.com/our-commitment-to-the-workers-of-bangladesh

This research article aims to improve recourses that will help enable suppliers and the basic facilities they need in their factories in order to prevent any dangerous actions within their workplace. It explains the necessary equipments and supplies needed in order to be safe in a workplace environment. The author presents an academic and policy context to ensure workplace safety for factory workers. Furthermore, it focuses on enhancing high-quality and comprehensive training for workers including fire and safety training and environmental training. Through the use of this article, it will support my paper by targeting dangerous actions that occur in factories thus causing hazardous situations for workers.

15. Werner, M. (2011). ‘Coloniality and the contours of global production in the Dominican Republic and Haiti,’ Antipode, 45(5): 1573-1597.

This paper targets Dominican Republic and Haiti and the various changes made in their garment industries by examining the idea of “the coloniality of power.” Werner argues that the idea of “the coloniality of power” is a way to understand global production, and the connection between spatial boundaries and social relations between exploited wages. The author presents an academic approach by using concepts such as coloniality and power to prove his point. It states the importance of global production and relations within boundaries of exploited pay. Thus, this article will be used to discusses the issue of exploited wages and the steps towards taking action to solve this problem.