George Galloway today launched a campaign for western governments to
penalise multinational companies which produce directly or buy from companies
in developing countries if they don't take due precautions to ensure workers
are producing in safe conditions. This follows the disaster in Bangladesh where
more than 350 workers are now known to have died in a garment factory just
outside Dhaka which was supplying western multinationals.
“This a terrible disaster,” said George Galloway this morning. “It has
been caused by political corruption and negligence in Bangladesh and by the
relentless drive by western multinationals for cheap sources of clothing. The
western multinationals that bought their clothes from this factory owe
compensation to the bereaved families and to the injured.
“However, quite understandably workers in Bangladesh are petrified that
these foreign multinationals will take their business elsewhere to other low
price, low wage economies. I've discussed this matter with people of Bangladeshi heritage in Bradford, Newham and Tower Hamlets.
“As a result I’m calling for western governments to bring in legislation
which will mean western companies will face stiff penalties if they fail to
take appropriate measures to ensure the workers in the factories from which
they are buying are working in safe conditions. If this were the case, there
would be no advantage in a company switching to lower cost producers, unless of
course they were able to guarantee safer conditions for their workers.
“I also want the British government to work with the Bangladesh
government to end the corruption that lies behind this disaster. Western
governments and multinationals must take their share of responsibility for this
disaster as must the government of Bangladesh.”