Swedish fast fashion giant H&M is understood to have told its suppliers in Bangladesh that it would be upping its unit prices following the recently announced minimum wage increase for garment workers in the region.
The company reportedly said that it would “absorb the increase in wages” in its product prices, becoming one of the first retailers operating in the country to do so, as stated by Apparel Insider, which initially published this news.
Protests erupted in Bangladesh towards the end of last month as garment workers took to the streets demanding a near-tripling of their wages.
The vast majority of employees, many working for the suppliers of global fashion retailers, were on monthly wages starting at 8,300 taka (60 pounds), leading to unrest as many mobilised on the streets surrounding the capital Dhaka.
Despite the Bangladeshi government appearing to have partially listened to the demands, increasing the wage by 51 percent to 12,500 taka (90 pounds), a number of workers’ rights organisations are calling for a reconsideration of the decision.
A similar request has also been put forward by the US government, which has urged Bangladesh to revisit the minimum wage and address the economic pressures faced by workers.
It comes following the death of a woman during the garment worker protests, Anjuara Khatun, who was killed by police, which has also seen the US and other initiatives further demand for the protections of workers’ rights.
H&M’s move to up its unit prices is a step in the right direction, despite the increase only supporting the current minimum wage. It is yet to become clear if other retailers follow suit.
Read more:
* Minimum wage for textile workers in Bangladesh up, but far below union demands
* US government urges Bangladesh to reconsider minimum wage increase
* What the new minimum wage means for garment workers in Bangladesh
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