Big Clothes Companies Want to Help Poor Workers Affected by Corona Lockdowns

H&M has announced it is discussing plans with other companies on aiding garment workers in Bangladesh who have been affected by the estimated 3 billion dollars’ worth of order cancellations due to the coronavirus lockdowns.

Over 2 million workers have suffered from factory closures to date in the impoverished nation where millions rely on the garment industry to feed their families. Fashion competitor Primark’s pledge to keep paying workers affected by its cancellation of orders has prompted H&M to discuss ways to be of support.

“We are well aware that the suppliers, and their employees, are extremely vulnerable in this situation,” says the fashion giant to the Thomson Reuters Foundation. “We are at this instance intensively investigating how we can support countries, societies and individuals from a health and financial perspective.”

Rubana Huq, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, commended H&M – the largest buyer of Bangladeshi apparel – for supporting its suppliers, encouraging others to do the same.