Do you have clothes made by Bangladesh garment workers? I know I do. Garments made in Bangladesh have a good chance of being made by exploited garment workers. Garments from Bangladesh have made the US Department of Labor’s list of 122 products made with forced and child labor. In addition, the Bangladesh garment workers that are getting paid, may be exploited. Any level of exploitation can lead to human trafficking and slavery.

Earlier this year, Bangladeshi garment workers were making $24 a month. Then in July and August violence broke out in factories and riots in the streets as workers demanded the government institute a living wage. A living wage is different than a minimum wage. A living wage is the income a family needs to provide for basic necessities like as shelter, food, and clothing. The government did raise the minimum wage to $43 a month, but this raise does not provide for the cost of living expenses that Bangladesh has seen grow in the last four years. Now the government has canceled the registration for Bangladesh Center for Workers Solidarity. This center was the main group to speak out against harsh treatment of workers and low wages. It is the government which is harassing garment workers and not allowing them to voice their needs.

Many large discount stores have their garments made in Bangladesh because the work is cheap. In fact, China has lost a lot of business to Bangladesh. Cheap clothes = cheap or free labor. Next time your shopping look at the tag where the clothes were made. Are your cheap clothes worth the struggle a Bangladesh garment worker faces for daily survival? You can improve conditions and wages for Bangladeshi garment workers. Take Action today by requesting that retailers have their suppliers pay their employees fairly and sign a letter to Secretary Clinton asking her to pressure the Bangladesh government to provide for garment workers.