While the fashion industry continues to boom across the globe, several fashion giants like H&M and Zara are facing mounting criticism over their inadequate measures to safeguard the basic rights of garment workers in Bangladesh, as highlighted by the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC). A year after a violent crackdown on workers protesting for fair wages, thousands remain vulnerable due to ongoing legal threats, prompting labor rights advocates to demand accountability and action from these prominent brands. Ongoing Legal Threats to Workers According to a recent statement from the CCC, approximately 40,000 workers continue to be at risk of arrest due to repressive legal charges that stem from their protests for better wages.
The statement emphasizes that these charges have been enforced through blank arrest warrants, making the situation precarious for many individuals involved in the labor movement. In the wake of last year’s protests, an international campaign has emerged, spearheaded by campaigners, labor rights advocates, and trade union representatives. They are collectively calling for the dismissal of the 36 legal cases filed against worker groups and protesters.
The urgency of their campaign reflects the broader concern for the treatment of workers in the garment industry, particularly in Bangladesh, where labor rights violations have been reported extensively. Calls for Brand Responsibility Anne Bienias, a lead campaigner for the CCC, has emphasized the responsibility th.