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Made in Bangladesh


On that day, I was listening US National Public Radio's "Morning Edition". In 2013 there was a terrible building collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. More than 1000 people who worked at American apparel maker's subcontracted factory in the building were killed.
The radio program mentioned the accident and the poor working environment. A commentator suggested "A consumer should not buy cheap products which is lead the company's excessive cost cut to protect the labor in the developing country."
Nowadays do the consumer have to think about it before take the product to the cashier? However if you check the price and buy the second cheapest product, it could not be "Made in Bangladesh" any more. I think what all need is improvement of corporate ethics here.


I had heard "Bangladesh is one of the poorest country in the world". But I couldn't actually feel it in the country. A town was busy. A market's filled with foods. When I heard the word "the world poorest country", I remember Mauritania or Cuba more than Bangladesh.
The consumer price are one thirds of Japan. But I think it's a little bit over priced for the poor service. For example, three star business hotel costs about 30 USD. Although the room was not always clean or silent enough. If there is a hotel with equivalent service level in Tokyo, it must has similar price tag. On the other hand, the train's fare isn't cheap neither compare to the mud cheap and comfortable one of Iran which is low energy cost country. So it must be more expensive for local people. Now I understand the reason why they ride on the roof top of the train or hung on the locomotive.
You may say the tough daily life is the sign of poor country. But when I think about todays social issues in Japan (Sweatshop, lowering nominal wages or stratified society ... etc), I can't find big difference to the tough situation in Bangladesh. I saw myself in the guy holding his knees on the track. What's the definition of "Poor country" after all?


However I'm not so pessimistic for Bangladesh. The economy is growing like other Asian countries. It has a billion and half population. The domestic market is big enough. There is no worry about the shortage of work force. Moreover, the land is fertile.
I believe Bangladesh must step up from "the low waged factory of the world" in near future. It's the time we, consumer, have to buy the "Made in Bangladesh" without the extremely low price tag.



May 2015



Today's piece
" People on the track" Bangladesh 2015




fumikatz osada photographie