Solidarity with the peoples’ movement in Bangladesh

The Clean Clothes Campaign Network stands in solidarity with the people of Bangladesh who were brutalized by the Bangladeshi government and condemns all violence against peaceful protesters. The protests that erupted in July and met with violent repression from the government resulted in at least 300 deaths. On 5 August, the protests led to the ousting of the prime minister.

Student protests in Bangladesh in July 2024, Photo: Rayhan9d.

We echo the need for protection and safety for peaceful protesters expressed by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights. We condemn the use of lethal force that has been used against peaceful demonstrators and call for an independent investigation into the killings, with justice being provided for the bereaved families. In the new situation arisen this week, people and organisations should be free to speak up and act to protect their own rights and those of others.

We will continue to closely monitor the situation, with a particular focus on the well-being of the garment workers. All stakeholders in the garment industry in Bangladesh are called upon at this hour to ensure that garment workers rights are protected and that workers are not made to pay the price for the political events of the past weeks. This means that brands sourcing from Bangladesh should ensure that workers are paid for the time that their factories were forcibly closed and extend order deadlines to avoid excessive overtime and pressure on workers. Ensuring that workers get through this political turmoil without losing already extremely meagre pay or additional work pressure is more important that the prompt delivery of next season’s outfit in the store.

Our thoughts continue to be with the people of Bangladesh, and specifically with all the garment workers in Bangladesh and their struggle to build a better Bangladesh.

published 2024-08-07