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Zarchi Lwin pawned her two gold bangles for $140 when the owner of the Myanmar factory where she sewed winter coats for British retailer Next shut it down after orders dried up due to the coronavirus.
Our story on the nightmare facing garment workers. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-garment-idUSKBN22U34V
Our story on the nightmare facing garment workers. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-garment-idUSKBN22U34V
At the heart of this is the cancellation of orders by Western brands, even for goods already made. (They are not bound to pay until shipments arrive). Some now say they will pay, but many are delaying payment. New orders are scarce - orders for June are down 45% for Bangladesh.
We compiled a fact box laying out the stance of various brands. @Debenhams @UrbanOutfitters were among those who did not respond to request for comment. Arcadia Group, which owns @Topshop, declined to answer. https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-garment-factbox-idUSKBN22U359
Many workers, paid meagre salaries - Zarchi Lwin earned $146 per month - were already living month to month on loans that they would repay on payday.
That debt is now wracking up. One Cambodian worker, charged 40% interest, said she owed $550, several times her monthly salary.
That debt is now wracking up. One Cambodian worker, charged 40% interest, said she owed $550, several times her monthly salary.
