A helpful idea for Primark, and other companies that sell clothes made by potentially exploited workers.

T shirts for a couple of pounds. Jeans for a tenner. Made in Bangladesh, almost certainly by women, who are paid a very poor wage and, according to some reports, exploited.

427 workers from Primark suppliers in Bangladesh lost their jobs after taking part in largely peaceful protests to dispute the sub-poverty minimum wage which is being paid in Bangladesh.  382 are now facing false charges bought by factory owners, and are unable to find other jobs due to systematic blacklisting[1]. Yet fast-fashion giant Primark has made no indication that it is willing to act to protect workers in Bangladesh.

http://labourbehindthelabel.org/primark-made-in-bangladesh-made-in-fear/

It’s the same with many imported goods. Tea. Coffee. All manner of imports. Is it really up to us, the purchasers of these products, to make sure they are made ethically? Why can’t we just assume they are? We should be able to make that assumption, I think. So, how could the likes of Primark ensure their manufacturers, the actual people making the clothes, are not being exploited? One solution could be a price increase which is directed straight to the makers. An extra 10p on a t shirt would make a huge difference if that 10p went to the person making it. They might be making 50 t shirts a day, that 10p could equate to £100 per month or more.

An extra £1 on a pair of jeans would make no difference to the shopper, really, but a huge difference to the garment creator.

Is it possible? All things are possible. Mostly it’s a matter of will. To put people before money. The love of which is indeed the root of most discord.

How about, if at the till, Primark said ‘Would you like to add an extra £1 that goes directly to the people who made these clothes?’

Then they could top up the Bangladeshi women’s wages from the Primark kindness fund each month. How about that for a solution?