Lest We Forget, Where Our Stuff Comes From. Workers, Children beaten and abused for us

[Catherina]

Lest We Forget, Where Our Stuff Comes From
by Abby Zimet


A Bangladeshi policeman hits a child with a baton during clashes with a garment workers in Dhaka. Children are caught up in clashes with police as at least 15,000 protesting garment factory workers block key roads in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka, the latest in a string of protests over low wages and poor conditions. Police fired tear gas and used water cannons to disperse the workers, who sew clothes for some of the top names in western retail, after they blocked a major intersection in the north of the city

Protests by workers at Bangladesh's many garment factories are spreading, even as riot police fire tear gas and water cannons at crowds of up to 20,000 people, including children. The workers are protesting conditions and wages, which now average $25 a month for sewing clothes for the western likes of Wal-Mart. One more reason among so many not to shop there. More photos here.


Garment workers shout slogans as they block a street in Dhaka


A Bangladeshi policeman kicks a child during clashes in Dhaka


A Bangladeshi child is comforted after inhaling smoke from burning papers believed to counteract tear gas fired by riot police


A Bangladeshi policeman threatens a child with a baton

http://www.commondreams.org/further/2010/06/30-0