Bangladesh garment union leader released unharmed

Lucky Akhtar, a union leader with the Garment Workers’ Trade Union Centre, was abducted in the middle of the night earlier this week by paramilitary thugs. Grave fears for her safety were held as repression of unions and labour activists in Bangladesh is very common (see here, here and here). Fortunately, her fellow workers mounted a strong campaign pressuring the government to release her. Lucky was released unharmed but now faces new charges. The garment industry in Bangladesh is characterised by inhumane working conditions where global clothing companies make huge profits.

Lucky Akhtar, a union leader with the Garment Workers’ Trade Union Centre, was abducted in the middle of the night earlier this week by paramilitary thugs. Grave fears for her safety were held as repression of unions and labour activists in Bangladesh is very common (see here, here and here). Fortunately, her fellow workers mounted a strong campaign pressuring the government to release her. Lucky was released unharmed but now faces new charges. The garment industry in Bangladesh is characterised by inhumane working conditions where global clothing companies make huge profits.