Bangladeshi-American social media star Nabela Noor has recently shed light on the RMG Workers’ Pay up issues, reports Anika Khan.
Nabela has spoken out on how the livelihoods of over 4.1 million garments workers are currently at stake as they have not yet received their wages. This is due to giant companies not paying for the orders that have been already shipped. She shed lights on this humanitarian crisis and also showed support to the tremendous work a few organizations are taking regarding this issue.
She wrote on her IG post: “The major brands you know and love that offer such amazing deals.. are doing so at the expense of Bangladeshi lives. It is time for them to #PAYUP.”
Bangladesh is the second-largest exporter of garment products in the world. Most of the employees in these garment factories are women who are paid very low for their labour. The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has led to the order delays, suspensions and cancellations from offshore countries. This created a huge crisis for garment proprietors to run their factories and paying their workers. Workers have gone unpaid and are also facing threats of being homeless.
“The exploitation of Bangladeshi garment workers must stop NOW. Major brands have yet to #PAYUP leaving over 4.1 million Bangladeshi garment workers at the brink of starvation and facing the threat of homelessness,” she said.
She urges her fans to spread awareness by participating in the #Payup challenge, sign petitions and donate on change.org and educate oneself on fast fashion.
Rubana Huq, the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) reported that export orders of worth $ 3.15 billion have been cancelled or held up. Only 48% of the cancelled orders have been reinstated by negotiation so far but the payment terms still need to be discussed.
In a video message on her social media, Nabela addressed this issue to millions of her fans and followers through her social media platforms. She called out a list of brands that are involved and tagged them for their malpractices and exploitations in the fashion industry. She hopes that the companies will come in and resolve this issue and pay the worker.
Noor said: “I believe that together we can make real, powerful change. It starts with raising awareness.”
