"Bangladesh garment workers grapple with late payments, discounts and floods", 27 August, 2024

Nasif Choudhury, former buyer for Marks & Spencer, John Lewis and Moss, told Drapers it was “inevitable” fashion retailers would look towards other countries to offset their reliance on Bangladesh after protests intensified in early July...

This has resulted in Bangladesh’s garment workers working overtime to prevent manufacturing delays ahead of peak trading, with some factories reporting a 30-40% reduction in orders, discount requests as well as concerns about factories’ “ability to pay workers' July wages”, said Bangladeshi trade unionist Nazma Akter.

...“The situation is helped by the fact that various NGOs and labour rights groups are calling for buyers to act responsibly and adhere to internationally accepted guidelines around purchasing practices,” he said...

...The country is now grappling with severe flooding which have affected up to 5 million people, killing an estimated 20, as of 25 August...