A Short report.

In Bangladesh, millions of garment workers labor tirelessly in factories to meet the insatiable demand of Western fashion brands. In these factories, where the hum of sewing machines is constant, workers piece together garments for international retail chains that will sell them for prices far out of reach for the people who make them. Despite the billions generated by this industry, the workers receive only a fraction of the profit, facing wages so low that even basic necessities remain unaffordable.

The push to produce garments at minimal cost for Western buyers keeps wages stagnant and working conditions harsh. While these brands benefit from high-volume, low-cost production, workers face rising living costs and inflation that make survival a daily struggle. For these workers, who live in crowded, poorly maintained housing with limited access to essentials, wages must cover rent, food, and school fees. Yet the pay remains critically low, an intentional choice in a system that prizes profit over people.

Political instability has worsened this cycle of poverty. With recent upheavals in Bangladesh, including protests and unrest, some Western brands have shifted orders to other countries where they pay more, signaling they can afford fairer wages but are unwilling to do so in Bangladesh. This reveals an uncomfortable truth about the global fashion supply chain: while Western consumers enjoy affordable clothing, the garment workers who produce these items remain entrapped in a system that ignores their humanity.

With intense competition among factories, the drive to meet Western demands at rock-bottom prices has led to a downward spiral. Factories scramble to win contracts by undercutting each other, and workers bear the brunt. Conditions become more difficult, safety measures are minimized, and wage increases remain elusive. Though minimum wage adjustments were recently introduced, enforcement is weak, leaving many workers unable to escape the grind of low-paying, high-stress factory work.

The irony is stark. Garment workers, who sew clothes for global brands, can rarely afford such items themselves. They struggle to purchase basic food, let alone luxuries, as Western buyers continue to press for lower costs without accountability for the welfare of those making the clothing. The global fashion market’s relentless pursuit of cheaper prices has created a model that values profit margins over the human dignity of workers in developing countries.

In light of these issues, it becomes imperative to question the practices of Western brands whose demand for low-cost garments comes at such a high human cost. As long as the fashion industry prioritizes cheap labor over fair wages and decent working conditions, millions of workers will remain ensnared in poverty, invisible to the very consumers who wear the fruits of their labor.