Defiant Bangladesh garment workers protest anew
Julhas Alam, Associated Press, Dhaka, Bangladesh | Mon, 08/02/2010 4:19 PM | World
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2010/08/02/defiant-bangladesh-garment-workers-protest-anew.html
Thousands of workers from the garment industry demonstrated Monday near the Bangladeshi capital over a new minimum wage they call too low, defying government warnings against moves that might jeopardize the country's top export earner.
At least 25 protesters were injured when security officials charged with batons to remove them from a major highway at Ashulia and Savar, a major industrial hub just outside Dhaka that supplies international chains including Wal-Mart, Gap and Marks & Spencer.
About a dozen factories closed Monday to avoid being damaged, as the rampaging workers attacked some of the them, police official Mahbubur Rahman said. He added that the protesters fled when additional security arrived.
Separately, several hundreds of workers blocked a road in Narayanganj, another industrial zone near Dhaka, the Daily Star newspaper reported Monday. There was no major violence reported.
Monday's demonstrations were part of an angry response to the government's new minimum wages for the nation's 2 million garment workers - most of them women - after months of often-violent protests over poor pay and working conditions. The new structure raises the minimum pay by about 80 percent, but workers and labor leaders say that isn't enough and does not match the high cost of living.
The new protest Monday came despite agreement by union leaders late Sunday to the new minimum pay structure, following a meeting with the government and factory owners.
Bangladesh has about 4,000 factories that export in bulk to international companies including Wal-Mart, Tesco, H&M, Zara, Carrefour, Gap, Metro, JCPenney, Marks & Spencer, Kohl's, Levi Strauss and Tommy Hilfiger.
Garment workers in Bangladesh are among the lowest-paid in the world and have difficulty buying enough food and arranging shelter on their monthly earnings, according to the International Trade Union Confederation, a Vienna-based labor rights group.
In the first increase since 2006, the official minimum wage has been set at 3,000 takas ($45) a month, up from 1,662 takas ($25). Workers and labor rights groups have pressed for a monthly minimum wage of 5,000 takas ($73). The new pay structure starts in November and has seven grades - the highest pay fixed at 9,300 takas ($140).
Factory owners say the skilled workers usually earn much more than the minimum wage, and they label the recent protests as a conspiracy by some vested quarters and outsiders to destroy the industry, which competes with major exporters like India and China in low-end products.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Saturday her administration would show zero tolerance for any further protests that might jeopardize the vital industry.
Garment exports earn Bangladesh more than $12 billion a year, nearly 80 percent of the country's export income.
In June, about 700 garment factories in a major industrial hub near Dhaka were shut for two days after days of violent protests by tens of thousands of workers.
The manufacturers say they're being squeezed by a slump in prices on the international market because of global economic crisis. They also say higher production costs due to an energy crisis and poor infrastructure are pushing them to the edge.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Wal-Mart Former Sporting Goods Mistreated Employee! Store #2615
June 22, 2010
For decades Valdosta, Georgia has been hidden beneath the rubbish pile of time, distance and space here in America. As a result citizens have been suffering for decade as if they are in a third world country for some. But others are living in paradise at the expense of others and this includes an unjust judicial system.
http://barberpk.blogspot.com/
We have had thirty jail deaths since 1994 while news media and politicians seem unconcerned about this trend for whatever reasons. So what are jailed inmates, parents, children and concerned citizens to when their government consistently fail them? Even Atlanta keyed in on the extremely high number of jail deaths but nothing is being done to stop this trend for whatever reason. http://williejameswilliams.blogspot.com/
Our school system has been under court order by The United States Justice Department since 1971. However little to nothing has changed and citizens has lost hope in Valdosta ever moving into the 21st Century. Lord helps those parents with children in the Valdosta-Lowndes County School System.
http://thenakedtruth4ed.com/the_naked_truth_blog
http://medianeeded.blogspot.com
We have had practically every civil and human rights organization in the nation here but things remain the same. In addition Georgia is one of the few remaining states in America that is identified as an “At Will to Work State.” This means that workers can be terminated for good cause, bad cause, or for no cause at all and employers know this and govern themselves accordingly against workers rights—thanks to Georgia Politicians.
http://walmartstore2615.blogspot.com/
Wall-Mart Stores Inc. is guilty of not answering their workers VALID questions and too often gotten away with it for decades. There is no help for wrongfully terminated workers and Wal-Mart refuses to even respond or answer valid questions from terminated workers. How do you know George? I am one of many that have been totally wronged by Wal-Mart and they refuse to answer valid questions. http://666onwalmart.blogspot.com/
So why are Americans putting their lives on the line in foreign countries only to be treated as third class citizens in the work place? They are now treating us as if we are WORKERS in China or in some other third world country. It has just been reported that the suicide rate among our military personnel are at an all time high. So is that American Service Members are fed up with a government that is unable to answer their needs? But then again; who cares anymore in this country?
Sincerely,
George Boston Rhynes
Retired United States Armed Forces Military Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
For decades Valdosta, Georgia has been hidden beneath the rubbish pile of time, distance and space here in America. As a result citizens have been suffering for decade as if they are in a third world country for some. But others are living in paradise at the expense of others and this includes an unjust judicial system.
http://barberpk.blogspot.com/
We have had thirty jail deaths since 1994 while news media and politicians seem unconcerned about this trend for whatever reasons. So what are jailed inmates, parents, children and concerned citizens to when their government consistently fail them? Even Atlanta keyed in on the extremely high number of jail deaths but nothing is being done to stop this trend for whatever reason. http://williejameswilliams.blogspot.com/
Our school system has been under court order by The United States Justice Department since 1971. However little to nothing has changed and citizens has lost hope in Valdosta ever moving into the 21st Century. Lord helps those parents with children in the Valdosta-Lowndes County School System.
http://thenakedtruth4ed.com/the_naked_truth_blog
http://medianeeded.blogspot.com
We have had practically every civil and human rights organization in the nation here but things remain the same. In addition Georgia is one of the few remaining states in America that is identified as an “At Will to Work State.” This means that workers can be terminated for good cause, bad cause, or for no cause at all and employers know this and govern themselves accordingly against workers rights—thanks to Georgia Politicians.
http://walmartstore2615.blogspot.com/
Wall-Mart Stores Inc. is guilty of not answering their workers VALID questions and too often gotten away with it for decades. There is no help for wrongfully terminated workers and Wal-Mart refuses to even respond or answer valid questions from terminated workers. How do you know George? I am one of many that have been totally wronged by Wal-Mart and they refuse to answer valid questions. http://666onwalmart.blogspot.com/
So why are Americans putting their lives on the line in foreign countries only to be treated as third class citizens in the work place? They are now treating us as if we are WORKERS in China or in some other third world country. It has just been reported that the suicide rate among our military personnel are at an all time high. So is that American Service Members are fed up with a government that is unable to answer their needs? But then again; who cares anymore in this country?
Sincerely,
George Boston Rhynes
Retired United States Armed Forces Military Veteran
A concerned citizen and brother of humanity
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