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Report

1 Jan 2017

Author:
Martje Theuws, Virginia Sandjojo & Emma Vogt (SOMO)

Bangladesh: Garment brands contribute to low wages, long working hours & child labour alleges report

Garment workers work extremely long hours in order to meet a standard of living that provides only the bare necessities of life... 

In addition to low wages, long working hours also have a detrimental impact on garment workers’ children...

This research shows there is a link between child labour and low wages for adult workers. Low wages and long working hours have been found to play a key role in parents’ decisions to take their children out of school... 

[C]hild labour at export-oriented garment factories in Bangladesh has been greatly reduced over the past few years, in part due to buying companies’ zero tolerance policies. However, [...] the working children featured in this report are not part of the buying companies’ supply chains... [T]his form of child labour may be a consequence of the low wages in the export-oriented garment industry. By preventing workers from earning a living wage, the corporate actors – buying and supplying companies – are contributing to a system that perpetuates child labour and contributes to the violation of children’s rights. If companies do not undertake urgent steps... they will still be contributing to the problem of child labour and violation of children’s rights in Bangladesh...

A draft version of this report was therefore sent to the seven brands and retailers that are known to have their goods produced in at least one of the factories where the interviewed workers are employed. SOMO received responses on the draft report from C&A, Esprit, Gap Inc., H&M, Kmart and Marks & Spencer.

*Sourced by RepRisk due diligence on ESG and business conduct risks, www.reprisk.com.