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Post by maketradefair on Sept 23, 2003 13:12:05 GMT -5
International trade rules are creating a crisis in Bangladesh's garment industry, and could cost thousands of women their jobs "I haven't received any wages for months and I don't know what to do. I don't have any other skills." - Shima, a garment worker in Bangladesh. More than 1.5 million young women earn a living by stitching garments in factories in Bangladesh. Conditions are poor and pay is desperately low - most women earn less than US $1.50 for a day's work. But it's vital income, and the women and their families depend on it. In 2000 a US trade act, which gives preferential treatment to poor countries, became law. However, even though Bangladesh is one of the world's poorest countries, it was excluded from the act. Garment orders from US customers have since fallen by 30-40 per cent. And things are set to get even worse when the 'Multi-Fibre Arrangement' - which currently protects Bangladesh from competition with bigger exporters - ends in 2005. Rich nations could put the crisis into reverse by reducing their high import tariffs - and giving Bangladesh its fair share of the market. Bangladesh's garment industry was built on the back of women's labour - but the women will be the ones who pay the price if it collapses. Up to 300,000 of them have already lost their jobs. i urge all of you in L4E to try and help out by visiting maketradefair.com and joining the big noise. chris martins help has been priceless! please visit www.maketradefair.comthanks very much chris
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