BHRRC sent a short survey aimed at understanding in detail the engagement apparel brands have had with their suppliers amidst the continued disruption of the garment industry in Bangladesh caused by the gas crisis and quota reform protests in 2024.

We asked brands to respond to the following questions regarding their suppliers in light of the ongoing gas crisis and protests that began in May 2024.

1. Have you, as a matter of policy, directed your sourcing team to forgive any delivery delays resulting from the disruption to the garment industry and suspend the imposition of penalties until the region has recovered? If yes, please include details. If no, please explain why this decision was made.
   1. Has your company imposed any penalty on a supplier in the region as a result of delayed delivery? If yes, please share details on any penalties imposed and the circumstances for such penalties.
2. Have you, as a matter of policy, directed your sourcing team not to seek price concessions from suppliers in the affected region on both new and current orders? Please share details on specific actions and measures taken.
3. How has your company monitored the payment of worker wages in supplying factories and ensured that wages have been paid on time and in full during July-August?
   1. Regarding worker wages, has your company provided any of the following forms of assistance or improved payment terms to suppliers in the region in order to help them continue business operations and ensure workers’ July-August wages are paid in full? Please share any details.
      1. Accelerated payment on orders recently delivered, in transit, or in production? Y/N
      2. Improved payment terms on new orders? Y/N
      3. Provided low-interest or no-interest financing to suppliers? Y/N
      4. Provided direct financial assistance to suppliers? Y/N
      5. Covered the cost of air shipments? Y/N
4. How are you ensuring order stability at the suppliers you source from, to ensure suppliers can maintain business operations and maintain jobs for workers, including confirming future orders and prices with factories? Please share details.
   1. Have you committed to receiving and paying for all orders placed with suppliers before and during the crises the industry has faced since May 2024. Please share details.
   2. Have you transferred orders from your suppliers in Bangladesh to suppliers in other apparel-producing countries in response to the crises? Please share further details on why this decision was made.
5. What steps are you taking in collaboration with trade union and worker representatives at supplier factories to ensure the physical and mental wellbeing and safety of your workers? How do you plan to support your suppliers and workers long-term?

Feel free to provide any further comments.

Walmart's response

Walmart's response to Bangladesh crisis – September 2024:

Walmart’s strategy in Bangladesh remains unchanged, and we are not looking elsewhere to source next season’s clothes. Any movement of orders in or out of Bangladesh is standard course of business. We are not imposing penalties for production delays or late deliveries related to the current situation.