Bangladesh’s garment industry ranks as a mainstay of the global fast-fashion economy. More than 4 million people produce clothes for major brands such as H&M and Zara; most are female laborers. It’s a field under new scrutiny: From Dhaka to Ashulia, Bettiah to Narayanganj and on to Chittagong, thousands of factories have pay delays or denied full wages — leading to protests, in some cases even inciting riots.
The Asia-Pacific is often applauded for its rapid industrial growth and its contribution to the global supply chain. However, continued wage theft in Bangladesh is a dark mark of globalization. The most vulnerable continue soaking up the consequences of the region’s economic expansion.
In March, reports claimed that more than 7,000 f
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