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Bangladesh: Dhaka criticised on workers’ basic rights

HUMAN Rights Watch (HRW) criticised the Bangladeshi government yesterday for failing to protect garment workers from assault, intimidation and other abuses.

HRW Asia deputy director Phil Robertson urged Dhaka and foreign retailers to ensure that factory owners and management start respecting workers’ rights.

A 78-page report released by the group revealed that cases of abuse often go unpunished and workers regularly face intimidation or beatings.

The report was based on interviews with more than 160 employees, speaking anonymously and mostly in the industry providing clothing for brand-named companies in North America, Europe and Australia.

“It is not enough to focus on factory safety alone,” said HRW.

The report detailed incidents recounted by workers of assault, verbal abuse, sexual harassment, forced overtime, non-payment of full wages and denial of paid maternity leave.

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