Academic Writing: The Social Impact of Garment Factories in Bangladesh

This essay delves into the complex issues surrounding the garment industry in Bangladesh, focusing on labor exploitation, ethical consumption, and the social impact of factory conditions. It references the Rana Plaza collapse and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire to highlight the ongoing challenges of worker safety and fair labor practices. The essay argues that while the garment industry provides economic opportunities for many Bangladeshis, it also perpetuates a cycle of poverty and misery due to low wages and unsafe working conditions. The conclusion emphasizes the need for improved safety measures and increased accountability from Western retailers to ensure the well-being of garment workers in developing countries. Desklib offers a platform for students to access this essay and many other solved assignments to aid in their studies.

Running head: ACADEMIC WRITING
Academic Writing
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
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Table of Contents
Introduction......................................................................................................................................2
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................3
Reference.........................................................................................................................................5

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Introduction
Saunders, Doug, is your wardrobe killing Bangladeshis, or saving them? The main
argument of the article is to highlight the issue of buying clothes from the retailers that are
selling clothes manufactured in countries like Bangladesh.
A garment factory located in the outskirts of Bangladesh was not in a good condition
because the factory building developed cracks. The factory owners received the warnings, still
the owners turned deaf ear. When the disaster struck, it has led to a horrendous accident and the
death toll increased to 300 people. The building was an 8 storey and the collapse has led to the
killing of the several women that were sewing in the factory. The clothes that the factory workers
were sewing were for the North American and European customers that were made for the
companies like the grocery giant Loblaw Cos. Ltd and Joe Fresh (The Globe and Mail, 2018).
Major strengths- the article does not fail to highlight the issues of worker related plight in
the third world countries. The workers are deprived of a proper working environment and thus
faces the worst accidents due to the negligence of the owners.
Thesis statement- The third world countries are the most feasible place for using the
cheap labour and this is turn has led to the increase in the reduced standard of living in the
countries like Bangladesh.
Major points- In the year 1911, a fire accident occurred in Triangle Shirtwaist Factory
and it led to the death of the 146 Italian and Jewish immigrants that were under the age of 18.
Due to the ignorance of the factory owners of the factory, the workers either plunged to death or
got roasted. Such a similar incident also occurred in the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh. This
factory has developed cracks and fractures which was ignored by the factory owners. A disaster

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struck the building and it led to the collapse of the 8 storey building upon the workers of the
factory that were majorly consisted of the women workers. The companies for which the factory
was making the clothes were Loblaw Cos. Ltd. and Joe Fresh. Thus, the main question that arise
here is a person is wearing clothes which belong to the brands of Joe Fresh and Loblaw Cos.
Ltd., then does that mean that person is actually responsible for the deaths of the hundreds of
people. is the clothing bargain leading to the poverty creation, death and misery in the poor
countries? What world the condition of the world be if people do not buy clothes that are made in
Bangladesh (The Globe and Mail, 2018).
Minor details- It is important to note that the questions are understandable and the
context within which the whole issues is all about actually makes sense. The garment factories
that operate in countries like Mexico, India, China and Bangladesh are the most valued place for
the retailer giants due to the high cheap labour costs and the non-stringent labour laws.
Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that the third world countries are the
worst sufferer with respect to the Western garment factories. There has been issues of factory
accidents due to several innocent factory workers have died. The condition however is improving
and this has led to the factory owners to apply the safety and precautionary measures inside the
factory premises.
The article does not fail to highlight the issues of worker related plight in the third world
countries. The workers are deprived of a proper working environment and thus faces the worst
accidents due to the negligence of the owners.

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In the third world countries like Bangladesh, it is hard to imagine the hoe people are
toiling to earn their daily bread. The third world countries are the under-developed countries and
thus, such countries have poor health index, life expectancy and standards of living is
comparatively poor with respect to the other developing nations. The high density of people per
square kilometre has led to the poor living condition. The governments in such countries
especially do not exercise enough power to properly govern the country. This renders the
common citizens with less hope to prosper and reduced grievance redressal.
The condition in Bangladesh is however is changing and it has actually led to many
people to move to the cities where there is a high number of conglomerate of factories. The
people that are getting jobs due to the external offer by the garment giants provides an immense
opportunity for the Bangladeshi people, to improve their standard of living and has also led to
improved women status and condition. The garment boom in the western countries has led to the
reduction of poverty in the Eastern countries. The wages provided by these garment giants
provide more wages in comparison to the casual labour and subsistence farming. These garment
giants have taken extra caution in the development of the workplace safety and standards.

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Reference
The Globe and Mail. (2018). Is your wardrobe killing Bangladeshis, or saving them?. The Globe
and Mail. Retrieved 20 April 2018, from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/is-
your-wardrobe-killing-bangladeshis-or-saving-them/article11579488/