Bangladesh Update:
Progress in
Fighting Charges
We are making progress in the campaign to fight criminal charges against workers in Bangladesh. 3/36 cases have now been dropped.
Our campaign to drop unjust criminal charges against garment workers in Bangladesh who took part in wage protests last year, is making progress. Out of the 36 legal cases of repression we have been tracking, three have now been dropped. This is a step in the right direction and a sign that collective action really works. However, we are continuing on until we can ensure that all the charges are dropped and justice is achieved for workers making clothes in Bangladesh, for some of the world’s biggest fashion brands.
Keeping up the pressure
Over recent months, we have been engaging directly with UK fashion brands, urging them to take responsibility for their suppliers’ actions. These brands have significant influence and must ensure their supply chains are free from repression of worker rights. The cases continue to prohibit union organising in Bangladesh factory and promote a climate of fear.
To amplify our message to the brands, Labour Behind the Label held a Black Friday demonstration in central Manchester, visiting stores including M&S, Primark, and NEXT. The demonstration highlighted these brands’ failure to ensure fair wages for Bangladeshi garment workers, and the need for them to act to ensure all the charges against workers linked to their supply chains are dropped.
Activists took to the streets with chants, amended carols, and calls for justice, reaching out to Black Friday shoppers with the message. Hundreds of people stopped to listen and took leaflets with links to a petition demanding fair pay for Bangladeshi workers making our clothes.
What next?
While the progress we’ve achieved is encouraging, it’s just the beginning. We remain committed to pressuring brands to hold their suppliers accountable and working with allies in Bangladesh to support workers facing repression.
Take Action Now
Together, we can achieve systemic change and ensure the dignity and rights of garment workers are upheld. You can help us build on this momentum by signing our petition and spreading the word. Every voice counts in the fight for fair treatment and justice.