Pope Condemns Bangladesh “Slave Labor”

Pope Frances, an advocate for the poor, has stepped up on May Day to denounce workers conditions in Bangladesh and compare their condition to “slave labor.” He linked work with dignity and argued that providing extra work for others is a higher purpose than making profits, reported BBC news and Vatican Radio. More than 700 people died in a building collapse near Dhaka, the country’s worst industrial accident on record, reports the BBC News. The garment industry is responsible for 80 percent of the country’s exports and employs more than 4 million, reports the BBC News. The European Union is considering steps to encourage improved work conditions, including adjusting Bangladesh’s duty- and quota-free access to EU markets. British firms that commissioned clothing from the collapsed factory will provide aid to victims’ families and survivors. Condemnation of workplaces with minimal safety features from high-profile global leaders could prompt consumers to pay more attention to source labels on the clothing they buy. – YaleGlobal