A new challenge for the Bangladeshi garment sector

According to the report, it will take US$3 billion dollars to bring Bangladesh’s 4,500 factories into compliance with building and fire standards, which really isn’t that much of an investment since, annually, Bangladesh makes $18 billion from clothing exports.

It was encouraging to see that The New York Times report encouraged the European Union and Obama administration to play roles in enforcing proper labour laws and compliance measures. Hopefully, the Bangladesh government will not be found wanting in extending the fullest cooperation to international efforts.

The “made in Bangladesh” brand has taken years to be accepted by the international market. It has given livelihoods to 3.5 million Bangladeshis, of whom 80 per cent are women. That is a huge step for Bangladesh, where women in the workforce is still not an old idea.

Perhaps it is time we listed the pros and cons, next to each other, wrote down the costs of each, and added the biggest values to human lives and rights, and then figure out how we can win this struggle for our brothers and more for our sisters, who took that step to come out of their homes to earn for their families and be independent – not to give blood or be killed. International eyes are taking notice. Are we?