Living Wage

Maquila textile and manufacturing: Minimum wages in Central America

Jan 7, 2021 —

Photo: Feasies

In December 2020, the El Salvador-based Labour Research Team (Equipo de Investigaciónes Laborales -- EIL) published its annual report comparing inflation rates and increases in the monthly minimum wages for maquila workers in Central America’s four garment-producing countries.

OPINION: Garment workers cannot foot the bill for the pandemic (Thomson Reuters)

Read more about OPINION: Garment workers cannot foot the bill for the pandemic (Thomson Reuters)

Major apparel brands linked to factories that filed unsubstantiated cases against workers in Bangladesh

Read more about Major apparel brands linked to factories that filed unsubstantiated cases against workers in Bangladesh

Despite growing support for a Living Wage, companies fall behind commitments

Jul 10, 2019 —

Two recent reports conclude that despite brand involvement with different living wage initiatives, improvements on the issue have been limited. These reports highlight the need for enforceable brand agreements to pay a living wage worldwide.

Read more about Despite growing support for a Living Wage, companies fall behind commitments

Bangladesh police clash with protesting garment workers demanding higher wages

Jan 16, 2019 —

Photo: IndudstriALL

A new minimum wage of 8,000 Taka (US$94), which came into effect on December 9, was rejected by workers and their unions asserting that the increase, the first of its kind since 2013, did not cover the rise in prices over the last five years. Bangladeshi unions, including those in the IndustriALL Bangladesh Council, have been demanding a monthly minimum wage of 16,000 taka (US$191).

Six Cambodian union leaders unjustly sentenced in a trial riddled with irregularities

On December 11, 2018, six prominent Cambodian union leaders were found guilty of instigating violent protests in December 2013 and January 2014 and ordered to pay a collective fine of approximately US$8,600. The sentence comes just two months after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, under increasing international pressure, publicly urged labour and justice ministers to finalize all court cases against union leaders, a call originally lauded by union leaders.

Read more about Six Cambodian union leaders unjustly sentenced in a trial riddled with irregularities
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Bangladesh’s newly declared minimum wage ignores workers’ demands

Sep 26, 2018 —

Photo: Clean Clothes Campaign

On September 13, after several months of delays, the government-appointed Bangladesh Minimum Wage Board finally announced the new monthly minimum wage of 8,000 taka (US$95), an increase of only 2700 taka (US$32) from the previous amount, which has remained the same since 2013.

Brands urged to support a living wage for Bangladeshi garment workers

Aug 28, 2018 —

Public rally in support of the 16,000 taka minimum wage demand (Photo: Taslima Akhter)

Inditex (owner of Zara) has become the first major apparel brand to respond positively to a joint request from the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), International Labor Rights Forum, and Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) to publicly support Bangladeshi garment workers’ demands for a significant increase in the country’s minimum wage.

Unions in Bangladesh demand a decent minimum wage increase

Jul 19, 2018 —

Photo: Clean Clothes Campaign

Bangladeshi unions representing workers in the country’s garment export manufacturing sector are demanding an increase in the minimum wage for garment workers to 16,000 taka (US$191) per month.

CCC calls for binding agreements for a living wage (October 2015)

Oct 21, 2015 —

The Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) called on delegates to its Living Wage Forum to support binding agreements and legislation for a living wage.

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