Reference no: EM132867576
Garment workers in Bangladesh produce much of the clothing sold in Europe and the United States. In April 2013, a prominent garment factory in Bangladesh collapsed, killing 1,127 people, mostly women who were garment workers. The collapse brought to the attention of American and European consumers the fact that many of the clothes they purchased from retailers like Wal-Mart, H&M, the Gap, and others were produced in dangerous conditions by workers often paid fewer than $40 per month. Garment worker unions in Bangladesh pushed Western retailers to commit to improve working conditions at garment factories Bangladesh by creating the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh . Many Western retailers agreed to support the improvements by signing the accord, but some, such as Walmart, resisted agreeing to the rules proposed by the unions.
Facts:
-Bangladesh is the third largest exporter of garments to the U.S., following only China and Vietnam.
-In 2009, Bangladesh shipped $3.41 billion worth of garments to the U.S.
-97 percent of all garments purchased in the U.S. are imports.
-75,140 sewing operators left in the U.S., in comparison with Bangladesh's 3.5 million garment jobs.
-Walmart is the world's largest company by revenue, with over $514 billion.
-The company operates under the name Walmart in the United States and Canada, Walmart de México y Centroamérica in Mexico and Central America, Asda in the United Kingdom, the Seiyu Group in Japan, and Flipkart Wholesale in India.
-It also has operations in Argentina, Chile, Canada, and South Africa.The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh is an agreement between global brands and retailers and trade unions designed to build a safe and healthy Bangladeshi Ready Made Garment (RMG) Industry.
The agreement consists of six key components:
-A legally binding agreement between brands and trade unions to ensure a safe working environment in the Bangladeshi RMG industry
-An independent inspection program supported by brands in which workers and trade unions are involved
-Public disclosure of all factories, inspection reports and corrective action plans (CAP)
-A commitment by international retailers with Bangladesh manufacturers to provide for compensation adequate to maintain safe buildings and to maintain sourcing relationships
-Democratically elected health and safety committees in all factories to identify and act on health and safety risks
-Worker empowerment through an extensive training program, complaints mechanism and right to refuse unsafe work.
Assignment
A proposal to an American retailer in order for it to commit to a process of improving working conditions for garment workers in Bangladesh. You will represent a committee of garment worker unions in Bangladesh. In your proposal, you will attempt to persuade the board of directors to commit to improving working conditions for garment workers in Bangladesh.