A year after Bangladeshi garment workers faced violent crackdowns during protests for higher wages, major fashion brands like H&M and Zara are under fire for not protecting workers rights. Around 40,000 workers still risk arrest due to blank arrest warrants issued during the protests.
Today, labor rights advocates launched an international campaign urging brands to demand the dismissal of 36 legal cases against workers and protestors. Anne Bienias of the Clean Clothes Campaign criticized brands, stating they profit from the current system and have not backed union-led wage demands.
The Clean Clothes Campaign linked 45 fashion brands, including Next, Levi's, and Matalan, to suppliers who filed charges against workers. Despite initial steps, none of the cases have been cleared. To raise awareness, the campaign introduced a new tool tracking brand involvement in the outstanding charges.
The legal cases have created a climate of fear, with union leaders like KalponaAkter emphasizing the need to drop these charges to safeguard workers freedom and ensure fair wages.
Unions are also pressing the interim government to issue an executive order dropping the charges, calling on brands to support this push.
