Lawmakers Advocate for Fair Wages and Labor Rights in Bangladesh’s Garment Industry

A group of lawmakers, led by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rep. Jim McGovern (D-MA), and Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), spearheaded a letter addressed to the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), urging the association to support fairer wages and safeguard labor rights for Bangladeshi workers. The letter gained additional support from Reps. Raúl Grijalva, Barbara Lee, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, David Trone, and Susan Wild.

In the communication, the lawmakers emphasized the need for the AAFA to strongly advocate for the demands of Bangladesh’s garment workers for fairer wages. The recent decisions by Bangladesh’s wage board, which fell short of addressing the rising cost of living, triggered widespread protests. The response from the police, marked by violence against protesters and trade union leaders, resulted in fatalities, injuries, and numerous arrests. Additionally, factories faced indefinite shutdowns.

The letter aligns with the Biden administration’s stance, urging the government of Bangladesh to respect and protect workers’ rights, including the freedom to organize, protest peacefully, and engage in collective bargaining without fear of retaliation, violence, or intimidation.

Recent negotiations on a new minimum wage for garment workers prompted large-scale demonstrations as the wage board’s announced increase failed to meet living wage standards. The protesters faced intimidation and violence from factory owners and the police. The lawmakers underscored the responsibility of U.S. brands to wield their influence in demanding improved wages and rights for Bangladeshi working families.

The letter echoes the sentiments expressed by local worker organizations, international trade unions, and the U.S. government. It calls for a reassessment of the minimum wage decision and emphasizes the importance of respecting worker rights, including the freedom of association.

The letter has garnered endorsements from various organizations, including Academics Stand Against Poverty, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (AFL-CIO Affiliate), IndustriALL Global Union, Institute for Policy Studies – Global Economy Project, Labour Behind the Label, Oxfam America, and Workers United (SEIU Affiliate).

For those interested, the full letter can be found here.