Considering seven whole months have passed by since the tragic Bangladesh factory collapse in April, I find it pretty disappointing that now that only just recently has a public statement been made by H&M, a major fashion vendor, “expecting” to increase prices of their products in order to increase the livable wages of the employed factory workers – meaning that they’re not even sure if they’re going to do this. It merely seems that they are toying with the idea of this, and thus the dependent factory workers’ futures.
More disappointing is the fact that many companies are only meddling with the ideas of human rights, fair wages, and other buzz words such as “sustainability” simply because a tragic event put the issue on the table and made everyone aware. Because, you know, it wasn’t really the norm to pay people livable wages and to not trash the environment in your capitalistic pursuits until hundreds of people die, making some people feel bad about where the cloth on their back comes from. It seems almost trendy now, to be a fair, “good” company that pays respect to social and environmental responsibility.
While I am slightly impressed that H&M has even considered the option of raising prices to allow their factory workers a more decent wage, I have doubts that the quality of their clothing will improve very much. I predict that the clothing will become slightly more expensive rags that will continue to look cheap and fall apart within a season, or even last one whole season, causing you to spend more money in the long run… that is, if you decide to shop at H&M.
If you’re interested in reading more about the Bandladesh factory incident or learning more about the H&M thoughts on fair living wages, check out these articles:
- Report on Deadly Factory Collapse In Bangladesh Finds Widespread Blame
- Six Months After Bangladeshi Factory Collapse, Workers Still in Peril
- H&M May Raise Prices to Pay Workers More
- H&M Could Raise Prices to Pay Garment Workers More
- H&M says it will pay factory workers a ‘fair living wage.’ It doesn’t say what that means.
- H&M pledges living wage for textile workers in Bangladesh and Cambodia
What are your thoughts on the matter?
Sewing Compulsion 