bangladesh – Page 2 – Citizen Reporter

Textiles and the Future

Over the weekend, while Max and Stacy were over for soup and podcasting, I popped in Shafiur’s documentary about the garment workers of Bangladesh. Probably should have said this earlier but it is a very good film, with excellent information and images mixed with testimony that are VERY telling about what is happening with the textile manufacturing industry there, and tying it back to the very clothes we are purchasing in shops around the world.

At one point in the film, they mention their fears of the big changes that will come once Europe elimates tarrif’s on Chinese textiles. They didn’t say exactly when this would happen, but Max mentioned that the authority of the European Union on trade has long been going back and forth on actually doing this. Which means it may not be soon… but it could very well be.

In all the images of the textile workers, you get the very clear feeling that their quality of life is not what it should be… it is below what any reasonable person could call humane living conditions. Yet they work for brands, as much of the world has come to know, that charge big money for their prestigious label.

So what if we add another complication to the equation. A country of a few billion people who can do everything for even cheaper, outbid, underprice, and out produce Bangladesh. What will happen to people already walking the tightrope of poverty and death? People who have scraped out a living, even in conditions that make it seem unlikely to be able to do so?

I’m yet to do more extensive research into this topic.. but Im curious to learn about the proposed rules.. or lack of rules.. that the free trade proponents want to adopt. Instead of running around shopping for new clothes for cheap prices, the European public should already be asking their retailer — who made this? Where is it from? And how are workers treated? But after learning these answers, they must take the next step.. and NOT buy those items until basic demands are met for a living wage and human rights for workers, regardless of where they are, are respected.

bm184 Bangladesh, A Welcome Emergency

The few images you see in the international press paint a picture of protests in the streets and a goverment in crisis. Yet any real information about what is really happening in Bangladesh is rarely heard. In this program, with the help of my guest, documentary film maker and blogger Shafiur Rahman, we look at what is happening, why, and who is seriously effected. From the garment industry to government corruption.. there’s a lot to cover.

We Discuss:
— What life is like since the state of emergency
— What led to the current crisis
— Elections
— Economic factors
— The Garment industry, regulations and labor practices
— What should happen, who must act
— Shafiur’s documentary: Bostrobalikara – The Garment Girls of Bangladesh

His BLog, Imperfect World

Ruined for Work

Number of copies…. click click… beep beep.

Single sided to double sided… beep beep.

Push Copy button… commence loud life sucking noises.

Have you ever gone back to an old job you used to do and thought… did I ever work here?
That could happen for a number of reasons, not necessarily cause you didn’t like it, but maybe just because… mentally.. you’re past it.. you’re somewhere else.. you travelled forward in time or to another dimension, where somehow, you can barely picture yourself doing this job.

When I go back to Portugal I always go pickup BadHareDay at the Walford P Street school, where we used to both teach. I walk in there and I see a long list of unfamiliar faces. If I get a look its normally a “who are you, what do you want, are you lost?” kind of look. Eventually he comes down the stairs and it is as if, for a brief moment, the year is 2002 again; we go out for lunch. Later I see students I used to teach, I smile, they don’t notice me; I don’t work there anymore.

Lately I’ve been doing some office work for the american exchange program. Normally I’d stay away from the place where I was pretty much pushed out, but the people of that office have always been kind to me, and guiding the new fresh-off-the-plane american students is a wonderfully horrifying experience that I like to think keeps me grounded and lets me know what the kids these days, over there, are into.

But as I stand at that copy machine… click click.. beep beep.. oops.. staple remover.. load paper.. one thought goes through my head and I know everyone can see it, “I don’t work here anymore, and that is a great thing.”

Instead my mind is on my program, and my future guests like Josh flying in from Uganda in a few hours, or the Brazilian topics I’m working on, or the Bangladesh show next week. Then there’s my trip to the balkans this week, I cannot wait. And to top it all off, I see something extra exciting on the horizon… it looks like, yes I think it is… I see @ XOLO!

Who Gave What to New Orleans

Catching up on news from the past few days, I found time to look into some details until now I had not seen. As I read the list of who gave what for the Hurricane Recovery from around the world, it’s really interesting to see how the world can be. Take a look for yourselves:

credit flickr user Maitri

Kuwait: 500 million (makes sense considering what the US spends on Kuwait)
Qatar: 100 millon, including 17.5 mil to Xavier University
Saudi Arabia and UAE: 100 million each
India and China, 5 million each
Bangladesh: 1 million (I’m impressed.)
Sri Lanka: 25,000
Cyprus and Dominican Republic: 50,000 each
Ghana: 15,000
Denmark: An oceanliner docked in Baton Rouge which houses evacuees

Of course there’s alot more. Some is direct, but much is actually through organizations. Lots of donor countries, especially the EU, didn’t do the direct money thing, probably because they’re well aware how many can be mismanaged. Hopefully that doesn’t happen in Louisiana… but considering how corrupt the national government and the shakey record of the local government in places like New Orleans.. everyone should keep on eye on this.

Speaking of eyes on New Orleans and hurricane recovery, I’m subscribed to miss B. havens vlog, and you should see their place down there.

Icey Nights

Well it’s late, and I’m on the wine tonight. Encouraged by a new, young, and beautiful Australian, who I can only imagine is reading this right now. The beautiful Amsterdam snow has turned into scarey but funny ice, funny in that “hey Ive fallen and broken a bone” kind of way. Not that I have… I haven’t.. ever.

Some would say, in all my recent blabber, I’ve gone UNPOLITICAL? Check the archives.. the communiqu? was built on politics, and I can assure you we still feel strongly about shit going down in the world. I wanted to talk about the country with my favorite flag ever, Lebanon, but in fact, I’m more eager to talk about DR Congo. Funny, when you write it, it looks like Dr. Congo. Dr. Congo.. you have a telephone call at the front desk.

I’ve been watching the BBC footage. Sometimes I get captivated with their images, and the recent stories out of Bunia about the UN Peacekeepers getting aggressive and killing militia members, catches me like a deer in headlights. They keep showing these images of the peacekeepers, Bangladesh and Pakistani troops in blue helmets and green camouflage that doesn’t really conceal a person amidst the yellow and brown dryness. It looks as if their uniforms don’t fit, and they have no idea where they are. Fish out of water… swimming amongst the desperate people of the DRC.

Thing is, I admire them like crazy. The UN Peacekeepers, who come from places like Jordan or Uruguay… who don’t fit that overused profile of the big and strong soldier from a wealthy nation, who fights to promote democracy or freedom, or whatever this year’s bullshit cause is. These guys just look like they’re there. Maybe a bit scared and lost, but always dedicated. I wonder if they call home and say “Hi hon, Im promoting freedom.” I doubt it. I bet they call home, to Dhaka and Islamabad, and they say “yes.. the congo is interesting… we’re doing what we can…I’m tired.. soon I will come home. love you wife/child/friend.” (is the UN taking female troops, cause theyre not in the images?)

That’s it.. I just wanted to share that. And then tell you that Ms Thingk is starting to make waves in DC and has now secured a place with the National Organization for Women. Or is it of Women? Too tired and buzzed to check.

And cheers to the man I call friend, Lloyd from Perfect Path. Not only does he do great podwalks, and podcurry, but he gave me a Flickr pro account as a gift! Thanks Lloyd! No more limit problems per month… I promise Soundseeing choc full of photos of Amsterdam in the Snow this weekend.

Today’s Sounds: Slackers – The Question

Take the A

If you’re going to the End of the World, you may as well bring good company. Last night a pair of Canadians and myself ventured over to the end of Java Eiland, where the wind is colder and the streets are silent. I led them to that long boat I have so often jogged by. From the outside is looks like everyone is sleeping, not a sound. Just as we were about to board the seemingly deserted boat, a group of giggly well-fed people emerge from the boat doors, and cross the plank back to land. After exchanging a few words with them, we board, only to discover the joy of the infamous squat restaurant the Einde Van de Wereld. I expected squat culture at its worst, cramped spaces, unclean. I expected wrong. This boat was huge, and the environment was a warm and friendly one. Never was there a feeling that we were new or unwelcome. We fit right in. I did my best to ask how everything works, so as not to mess up the system:

I’m pretty sure I’ll become a frequent customer at this restaurant-boat that is only open two days a week. I’ll bring many a guest there, and who knows – maybe get on a first name basis with the boat-people.

58,000… count’em… 58,000 missing postal ballots in Florida. And we all know that state isn’t alone. I think the UN needs to step in right now and declare these elections null and void. Send in the Canadian and Bangladesh peace keepers to secure the white house and remove the crown prince, until free elections can be held. In the meantime instruct all Americans to “go back to living their normal lives again” or the more popular “go shopping.”

NYC people, listen close, cause this concerns you. The MTA is celebrating their centennial. So when you get on the subway the next few weeks, don’t get upset at the ceiling fans and tweed seats – you’re riding in a piece of history! I’m super jealous, I’m missing out on riding in a wooden train car that was declared unsafe decades ago. The irony is most New Yorkers will pile in, tired and irritated from work, and will look at the old train cars and bitch about how shitty the MTA is.

xtx had a post that I was especially captivated by, regarding moms, babies, and play groups. Makes me realize how much I really want one……

…. my own play group.

One last thing, somebody tell me if this weblog course outline (.pdf) looks any good. I’m going to submit it to learn-ed old men who normally frown upon my youth and inexperience, and hopefully don’t read my blog too closely.

Today’s Sounds: Off the Hook on 99.5 WBAI-NYC