Bangladesh

A garment worker died from a heart attack while working at a facility in Ashulia on November 25. Workers say he began experiencing severe chest pain while on the job, but was declared dead when he arrived at the hospital. Workers later staged a protest accusing the factory managers of negligence in dealing with the issue. (Dhaka Tribune)

Two years after a deadly fire at the Tazreen Fashions factory in Bangladesh claimed over 120 lives, Dutch retailer C&A has struck a deal with two major workers’ rights groups to contribute a “significant amount” toward compensating victims of the tragedy. The deal will make C&A only the second apparel company after Hong Kong-based Li & Fung to pony up money for former Tazreen workers. The company says that the full details of the agreement would be made public once they are finalized. (The Guardian)

The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety has launched a new initiative which will provide fire safety training to security guards in garment factories. Alliance Chair Ellen Tauscher says that security guards can play a vital role during a fire emergency at a garment factory because they have a unique knowledge of the layout of the building and can assist in getting workers out as safely and quickly as possible. The course will be administered through a “train the trainer” approach in cooperation with local security service providers. ((Bangladesh Worker Safety) / (/ Dhaka Tribune)

Several sweater manufacturers in Bangladesh are reportedly switching to more automated machines as a way to increase production and protect themselves from large-scale labor unrest. Industry observers say that automated machines are about 6 times more productive than using workers alone and that about 20% of the country’s sweater producers have adapted these practices. Germany, Japan, and China are seen as the top suppliers of the new automated machinery. (Financial Express)