Police dispersed violent protests across the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka with tear gas Friday, as more than 8,000 garment workers took to the streets to protest low wages. Bangladeshi workers are paid the lowest industry salary worldwide.
The Bangladeshi garment industry is "famed" for having the lowest minimum wage for this type of work of any country in the world. Yes folks garment workers in China would be paid multiples of what Bangladeshi workers earn. Hence the gathering of vultures (excuse me "entrepreneurs") who head there to buy their goods to peddle across the world. Just today, after months of violent street protests the Bangladeshi government has agreed to raise the minimum wage in their country by 80% to a world shattering level of about $40 per month. Some unions in Bangladesh have agreed to this "compromise" while others such as the National Garment Workers Federation of Bangladesh consider it totally inadequate. The last raise in the minimum wage was won in 2006 after the usual street clashes with government forces, just as this one was. That's "collective bargaining" in that country, the only way that workers can advance their interests. Read more...
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Molly has just become aware of a new Industrial Workers Of The World (IWW) in Halifax Nova Scotia, and she has duly added their links under the IWW Canada section in this blog. Personally I think that this is quite important for many reasons. Read more...
Workers Solidarity 116 now online The July August edition of Workers Solidarity is now available to read online or download as a PDF. 10.000 copies are being distributed for free around Ireland by WSM members and friends. If you live in Ireland and would like to help with that work contact the WSM. Read more...
The July August edition of Workers Solidarity is now available to read online or download as a PDF. 10.000 copies are being distributed for free around Ireland by WSM members and friends. If you live in Ireland and would like to help with that work contact the WSM.
