The Business of Fashion
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.
DHAKA, Bangladesh — Hundreds of textile workers in Bangladesh's capital Dhaka took to the streets on Sunday demanding wages, flouting social distancing norms amid a nationwide lockdown to control the coronavirus pandemic.
The second-largest apparel producer after China, Bangladesh is set to lose export revenue of about $6 billion (£4.8 billion) this fiscal year as the sector has been hit by cancellations from some of the world's largest brands and retailers, two industry bodies have said.
"We haven't got wages since last two months. We have no food, no money. We are left to starve," said Mohammad Ujjal, a worker at a garment factory in capital city, Dhaka, who participated in the protest.
Garment workers have held smaller protests in recent weeks to demand wages lost during the crisis.
ADVERTISEMENT
Last month Bangladesh's government announced $588 million package aid for crucial exports-oriented sector to pay its workers, but garment manufacturers say funds were not enough to mitigate the crisis.
Health officials confirmed five more deaths and reported 418 new cases on Sunday, taking the official total number of positive cases to 5,416, including 145 deaths.
A nationwide lockdown is in place until May 5, but protesters said they will continue to violate the ban on movement if their demands are not met.
In recent weeks, Bangladesh has sent troops out into the streets to help enforce a shutdown on travel and restrictions on religious gatherings and protests.
By Ruma Paul; editor: Rupam Jain and Peter Graff
This week’s round-up of global markets fashion business news also features Latin American mall giants, Nigerian craft entrepreneurs and the mixed picture of China’s luxury market.
Resourceful leaders are turning to creative contingency plans in the face of a national energy crisis, crumbling infrastructure, economic stagnation and social unrest.
This week’s round-up of global markets fashion business news also features the China Duty Free Group, Uniqlo’s Japanese owner and a pan-African e-commerce platform in Côte d’Ivoire.
Affluent members of the Indian diaspora are underserved by fashion retailers, but dedicated e-commerce sites are not a silver bullet for Indian designers aiming to reach them.