Despite the efforts made by global fashion companies a decade ago to ensure that workers who manufacture their clothing receive a fair wage, the goal of achieving a living wage remains unfulfilled.
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In Bangladesh, close to 600,000 individuals are employed in the production of garments for the renowned Swedish company, H&M.
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The most recent data reveals that workers discussing the concept of receiving fair wages earned an average of $119 per month during the initial six months of 2023, excluding any additional compensation for overtime.
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At those income thresholds, employees express their inability to save money. Frequently, they rely on borrowing funds from family members to address medical bills or unexpected crises.
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In October, the discontentment regarding inadequate wages reached its boiling point as workers in Bangladesh resorted to setting factories on fire and vandalizing machinery as a form of protest.
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H&M introduced Swedish study circles in Bangladesh to provide training for workers in negotiation skills.
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Additionally, they conducted experiments with model factories and advocated for the implementation of transparent pay structures for workers.
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Advocates for increased wages argue that it was evident from the beginning that these approaches would not have a significant impact.
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What will work, they say, is setting a higher wage level supplier factories must meet and a clear schedule for phasing in those higher wages.
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According to an H&M representative, this data illustrates the influence of one particular brand's endeavors, considering the existence of other brands that also utilize the same factories. Therefore, collaboration becomes crucial in order to attain comprehensive and enduring transformation.
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