To the Point

Bangladeshi Workers, the Garment Industry and US Consumers

Three weeks after 1127 garment workers died in an eight-story building collapse, the Bangladeshi government has made some concessions to organized labor. But angry protests have led to a lockout in more than 200 factories.

By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

Three weeks after 1127 garment workers died in an eight-story building collapse, the Bangladeshi government has made some concessions to organized labor. But angry protests have led to a lockout in more than 200 factories. Some of Europe's largest retailers have agreed to pay for improved health and safety, but WalMart, Sears, JC Penny and the Gap have not signed on. How responsible are they for working conditions in a global economy? Can American shoppers make any difference?

Warren Olney
former KCRW broadcaster
Anna Scott
Former KCRW Housing and Homelessness Reporter
Evan George
Director of Content, News
Christian Bordal
Managing Producer, Greater LA
Steven Greenhouse
labor reporter and author of “Beaten Down, Worked Up: The Past, Present, and Future of American Labor”
Scott Nova
Worker Rights Consortium
Jagdish Bhagwati
Columbia University

News

National

Politics

To the Point

Bangladeshi Workers, the Garment Industry and US Consumers

Three weeks after 1127 garment workers died in an eight-story building collapse, the Bangladeshi government has made some concessions to organized labor. But angry protests have led to a lockout in more than 200 factories.

Share

To the Point

Bangladeshi Workers, the Garment Industry and US Consumers

Three weeks after 1127 garment workers died in an eight-story building collapse, the Bangladeshi government has made some concessions to organized labor. But angry protests have led to a lockout in more than 200 factories.

Share