Bangladesh RMG workers sacked after wage protests: Stitched up

Agency :
For a decade, the nimble fingers of Bangladeshi garment worker Naim Pramanik sewed shirts and trousers for top Western brands, to be worn by the wealthy across the world.
Now the 28-year-old is unemployed, sacked after daring to take part in protests demanding a fair wage.
“Some clothes we make are sold at $100 a piece in shops in America and Europe,” he said, showing the labels of American fashion giant Tommy Hilfiger and British brand George.
“We don’t get more than $100 a month.”
The South Asian country — the world’s eighth most populous, with about 170 million citizens — was last month rocked by its worst labour unrest in a decade.
Tens of thousands of workers clashed with police for a 23,000-taka ($208) minimum monthly wage, up from the Tk 8,300 set by the government five years ago. At least five people were killed, reports AFP.
Pramanik joined protests last month because his $75 monthly salary was “killing us”.
The garment industry has been the key driver of impressive economic growth in Bangladesh as it has overtaken neighbouring India in GDP per capita, and made it a darling for Western brands such as H&M, Levi’s, Uniqlo and Zara.
But experts say the industry has failed to lift its four million workers out of poverty.
‘Beg or borrow’
“We took to the streets for our legitimate demands and that’s why my factory fired me,” said Pramanik, who gained attention after his comments to a news website during protests were shared widely on social media.