H&M urge Bangladesh government to raise wages

As I wrote in my post from June 18, we have great concern regarding the current situation in Bangladesh. The only ones in power of raising wages in Bangladesh is the local Government. Today H&M, together with a group of significant buyers of apparel and textile products from Bangladesh handed over a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to demand quick action regarding higher minimum wages and annual reviews. In addition, the CEO of H&M, Karl-Johan Persson, will meet with the Bangladesh Government to make our stand point clear – that the workers should be properly compensated by their employers.

We want to make it clear that we fully support the workers urge for increased minimum wages. This creates better working conditions and a stable labour market which without a doubt all parties gain from. The signatories of the letter are also aiming for a meeting with the Bangladesh Government to further express our stand point. H&M is also in contact with the Bangladesh Embassy in Stockholm and we will meet within shortly. To read the letter click here.

On a longer term we are working with two important initiatives. Last year we stepped up our engagement with the goal to help strengthen workers’ influence over their own situation. The result is our Bangladesh Development Plan. During 2011 H&M also joined The Fair Wage Network with an overall aim to promote fair wages in our supply chain and improve living conditions for workers.

We will continue to work hard for lasting improvements in Bangladesh, and I will keep you posted on our actions going forward.

To read the complete content of the Bangladesh Development plan click here.

To read more about The Fair Wage Network click here.

To read about how we engage regarding minimum wages click here.

Helena Helmersson is our Head of Sustainability. Opinions expressed are her personal views and do not necessarily represent the official views of H&M. Do you have questions or feedback? Please click here.