Late last month, the Indian government announced a financial assistance package to the garment and textile industry of around US $900 Million. This package is intended to create 10 million new jobs over the next three years. This package also outlines changes to the labour laws which will facilitate the creation of irregular and short term contracts. Given that the garment industry internationally is characterised by a brutal ‘Race to the Bottom’ dynamic, this package will only benefit factory owners at the expense of the lives of these workers. The reality of garment workers in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia are a stark reminder of the true nature of this industry.
Late last month, the Indian government announced a financial assistance package to the garment and textile industry of around US $900 Million. This package is intended to create 10 million new jobs over the next three years. This package also outlines changes to the labour laws which will facilitate the creation of irregular and short term contracts. Given that the garment industry internationally is characterised by a brutal ‘Race to the Bottom’ dynamic, this package will only benefit factory owners at the expense of the lives of these workers. The reality of garment workers in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Cambodia are a stark reminder of the true nature of this industry.
