Bangladesh's garment industry, a critical pillar of the country's economy, is grappling with unprecedented challenges in the wake of the protests that erupted in July 2024 against quota reforms. These protests have brought global attention to the systemic vulnerabilities within the supply chain, especially concerning how brands and their suppliers are responding to growing demands for fair wages and better working conditions.

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre is actively monitoring the evolving situation in Bangladesh, specifically examining how companies are addressing these disruptions, how existing purchasing practices are being upheld, and what support is being extended to suppliers and, ultimately, to the workers affected. To gain deeper insights, we conducted a survey targeting 20 international apparel brands, asking critical questions about their response to the crisis. Our analysis, including the responses and non-responses, can be found here. Sourcing Journal also conducted its own outreach to brands, and their findings are available here.

Despite public commitments from many brands to uphold ethical sourcing and support their supply chains, concerning reports have emerged. In response to the request made by Sourcing Journal, Uniqlo had made a commitment regarding order levels and not reducing orders placed to Bangladesh suppliers.

We came across a media article where a supplier to Uniqlo's parent company, Fast Retailing, and Decathlon disclosed that “large groups are saying they’ll reduce their sourcing by 30% for next season.” This statement raises significant concerns about the potential negative impact on workers, particularly as reductions in orders may lead to further instability for both suppliers and the workforce.

In response to this alarming development, we reached out to Decathlon and Fast Retailing, inviting them to provide clarification or additional details regarding any decision to reduce their orders from Bangladeshi garment producers.

Decathlon has assured that they have no plans to reduce their orders from Bangladeshi suppliers. Fast Retailing has re-emphasized that it "has not cancelled any orders in Bangladesh following the July 2024 protests", and they made their intention public to "continue placing orders in Bangladesh while factories and logistics remain operational, and that we have no plans to withdraw".

Both their responses can be read in full below.