InfoAnda - Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries

Pakistanis angry over detentions in Times Sq. case
Monday, May 24, 2010
ISLAMABAD – Relatives of three men detained by Pakistan for alleged links to the suspect in the attempted Times Square bombing say the men are innocent.
They

Taiwan denies boycotting Australian film festival
Thursday, August 6, 2009

AFP - Thursday, August 6TAIPEI (AFP) - - Taiwan's Beijing-friendly government on Wednesday denied boycotting an Australian film festival amid a row over the e

Merkel's support dips, regional ally resigns International
Thursday, September 3, 2009

By Sarah Marsh and Noah Barkin

BERLIN (Reuters) - Chancellor Angela Merkel suffered a double blow on Thursday as a senior party ally in east German

Minister seeks closure of anti-Berlusconi websites
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
ROME (AFP) - – The Italian government moved Tuesday to close down Internet sites encouraging further violence against Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who

Asian markets mixed after Wall Street rally
Wednesday, March 18, 2009

By ELAINE KURTENBACH,AP Business Writer AP - Wednesday, March 18SHANGHAI - Asia's stock market rally seemed to be running out of steam Wednesday, despite an

Michael Jackson _ In the culture wars | 8 July 2009
Seoul shares rise after U.S. gains; banks advance | 4 December 2008
South Korea to send aid for children in North | | 9 June 2010

Miss. civil rights slayings to get historic marker | 19 June 2009

Forum Views () Forum Replies ()

Read more with google mobile : Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries

Yahoo! My Yahoo! Mail More Yahoo! Services Account Options New User? Sign Up Sign In Help Yahoo! Search web search Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Singapore Asia Pacific World Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries AFP - Saturday, February 19 Send IM Story Print Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries Slideshow: Full Photo Coverage: Business & Economy DHAKA (AFP) - – Standing barefoot in toxic chromium effluent at a tannery in Dhaka's Hazaribag district, 23-year-old leather worker Sumon fears his job is sending him to an early grave. A decade of inhaling fumes from the chemicals used to turn Bangladeshi raw hide into soft leather for shoes to be sold in the West has given Sumon, who started working in the tannery at 13, a shallow cough and stabbing chest pains. "I don't like the work but I have no choice, I need the money," Sumon, who uses only one name, told AFP as he pulled freshly tanned skins out of huge barrels of blue-grey chromium liquid, which is used to process raw hide. Cow and goat skins, caked in salt or still bloody from the slaughterhouse, are stacked in piles inside the tannery, but Sumon said the stench from the raw hides is the least of his problems. "When I first started, the chemical fumes made me so sick I couldn't eat for two months, now I can't even smell them," he said. "We get no training, no safety equipment -- workers have to learn to be careful of the chemicals. I had a few accidents at first," he added, pointing to large, burn-like scars on his forearms and shins. In Hazaribag district, home to hundreds of tanneries like the Salma Leather Cooperation where Sumon works, the environmental and public health costs of the rapid growth of global demand for cheap shoes are on full display. The area, once a pleasant, semi-rural district in the Bangladeshi capital, is now a wasteland of toxic swamps, garbage landfills and mountains of decomposing leather scraps, surrounded by slums where tannery workers live. Piles of smouldering trash line the banks of the nearby Buriganga, which is classified as a "dead" river after it hits Hazaribag as pollution from the tanneries has made it impossible for any fish or plantlife to survive. Every day, the tanneries collectively dump 22,000 cubic litres of toxic waste, including cancer-causing chromium, into the Buriganga -- Dhaka's main river and a key water supply -- according to the ministry of environment. More than 90 percent of tannery workers suffer from some kind of disease -- from asthma to cancer -- due to chemical exposure, according to a 2008 survey by SEHD, a local charity, with local residents being almost as badly affected. Despite their shocking environmental and work safety records, business is booming in Hazaribag, as growing global demand for footwear coupled with rising manufacturing costs in China prompts western buyers to turn to Bangladesh. Leather is the country's fastest growing export, and Hazaribag's tanneries produced the bulk of the 32 billion taka (460 million dollars) worth of leather shipped in 2009, mostly to Europe, Russia, Japan and China. Leather exports were also up 45 percent year on year from July to November 2010, with shoe shipments to American markets alone up 50 percent in the same period, according to export bureau figures. Eager for the leather industry -- and its export earnings -- to grow, the Bangladeshi government has long turned a blind eye to the rampant pollution and terrible working conditions inside the tanneries, activists say. "The only reason the Hazaribag tanneries are allowed to operate is the export earnings," said Rezwana Hossain, an environmental rights lawyer. "These tanneries are operating right in the middle of the city, in the middle of residential areas and they are continuing to pollute the major river of the city, year after year," she said. "If you look at the environmental damage, the killing of the Buriganga river, the pollution of the city's water supply, the public health costs -- then these export earnings don't look so impressive." The industry's export earnings could increase significantly in the next few years if Dhaka can capitalise on the "China effect", said Sayed Nasim Manzur, managing director of ApexAdelchi, a joint venture shoe manufacturer. Brands like Jones Bootmaker and Macy's already source shoes in Bangladesh, and many others are likely to follow suit, he said. "But you can't expect to export to the European Union if you're polluting like they are at Hazaribag," added Manzur, whose factories in Savar district have their own waste treatment plants, unlike the Hazaribag tanneries. Successive Bangladeshi governments have promised to relocate the tanneries to Savar, north of Dhaka, and pledged to build a central effluent treatment plant to prevent water pollution. The relocation also aims to force tanneries, many of which have been in Hazaribag since the 1970s, to set up purpose-built factories and improve safety standards for workers. But progress has stalled, and while the government maintains the move will happen soon, no exact date has been set and the infrastructure at the new Savar site has not yet been completed. The delay has not deterred foreign buyers, who are flooding the existing tanneries with orders. Most of the raw hide tanned at Hazaribag is exported as semi-processed leather to shoe factories in Russia, China, Japan and Spain, where it is turned into shoes for the Western market, tannery owners told AFP. Leather worker Sumon said the Salma tannery had become busier than ever. "Workers haven't seen any of the benefits though -- the factory tells us buyers pay low prices for the leather, they say the tannery isn't making much profit," he said. Sumon earns 6,000 taka (100 dollars) a month for a 12-hour shift, seven days a week, but says his main worry about his job is its impact on the health of his family who live close to the tannery. "The tanneries pollute the water, and we all use the water -- we drink it, wash it in. It smells bad, and it makes your skin itch, but what can we do," he said. Recommend Send IM Story Print Related Articles Developed market equities shine again-EPFR Reuters - 43 minutes ago Rosetta Stone sees Q4 below Street; shares fall Reuters - 43 minutes ago US-BUSINESS Summary Reuters - 44 minutes ago Flash crash panel calls for market overhaul Reuters - 44 minutes ago Czech CEZ puts off Temelin expansion deadline to 2025 Reuters - 46 minutes ago News Search Top Stories Wozniacki topples Clijsters to reclaim No. 1 spot Angry protests continue throughout the Middle East G20 finance chiefs meet on global imbalances Miner Anglo American 2010 profit nearly triples Thought-controlled bionic arm unveiled in US More Top Stories » Related Full Coverage China Economychina economy All Full Coverage » ADVERTISEMENT Most Popular Most Viewed Only 'best will do' for Arsenal in Barca clash More Most Viewed » More Most Recommended » Elsewhere on Yahoo! Financial news on Yahoo! Finance Stars and latest movies Best travel destinations More on Yahoo! News Home Singapore Asia Pacific World Business Entertainment Sports Technology Weekend Edition Subscribe to our news feeds Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS » More news feeds | What are news feeds? Also on Yahoo! Answers Groups Mail Messenger Mobile Travel Finance Movies Sports Games » All Yahoo! Services Site Highlights Singapore Full Coverage Most Popular Entertainment Photos Yahoo! News Network Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved. Terms of Service | Privacy Policy | Community | Intellectual Property Rights Policy | Help

Other News on Friday, 18 February 2011
Russian police raid office of richest woman
US-TECH Summary
US price increases hit consumers
Fronts shift in smartphone war with Nokia-Microsoft tie-up
Pakistan court delays immunity ruling on U.S. prisoner |
Uganda bans SMS texting of key words during poll
Desperate Ivorians queue for cash as banks close |
Mobile ads boom raises privacy concerns
Palestinians nix US bid to avoid UN settlement vote
Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence |
EU issues urgent call to 21 states on satellite network
Pakistan raid netted al Qaeda how-to-hijack notes |
Japan touts pedal-powered water purifier
Gaming wars go mobile
Somali rebels detain several pirate gang leaders |
Russian police raid firm of ex-Moscow mayor's wife |
US state scrutinizes Google search tactics
China refuses to condemn mob tactics on reporters
Machine trounces man on "Jeopardy!"
Canada says cyber-attack serious, won't harm budget
Australian diver killed in shark attack
Fronts shift in smartphone war with Nokia-Microsoft tie-up
Downbeat S. Korean drama booed in Berlin
ST-Ericsson: ready on WP7 when Nokia is
Hawaii lawmakers vote to legalize same-sex unions
Swine flu kills 12 in Hong Kong in under a month
Cairo teen finds looted pharaonic statue
Japan PM weakened by party revolt
Intel says will find new MeeGo partners
Heady cocktail: ancient Britons drank from skulls
China denies Canada hacking involvement
Fire-hit Carnival group vows lively Rio parade
Finnish startup merges social networks, core games |
Twelve dead in Vietnam tourist boat sinking
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Scientists build first antilaser |
California court agrees to rule on gay marriage row
Internet v. Courts: Googling for the perfect juror |
Iran 'not like Egypt': top Iranian director
Russians worship 'miraculous' icon of tsar
Computer creams human 'Jeopardy!' champs
Brazil's bishops lash 'bad' reality TV
India's Essar group chief quizzed in telecom probe
Europe ratifies free trade deal with S. Korea
Two and A Half Men production to resume February 28 |
It's baby no.8 for singer Rod Stewart |
Film casts new light on Germany's Red Army Fraction |
Adrianne Palicki to play Wonder Woman in TV pilot |
Eight dead in Afghan suicide car bombing: police
Kidnapped Italian woman says being held by Al-Qaeda
Egypt pro-democracy activists plan victory march
Facebook adds civil unions to profiles
New Zealanders' 'rear view cam' an Internet hit
Egyptian prosecutor detains three former ministers
New mobile can check pulse, send ambulance
Russia mulls fingerprinting its migrants
US lawmakers close to passing huge spending cuts
Football-playing Japanese robots in Peru exhibit
Earth dodges geomagnetic storm: scientist
Iran says two warships to pass through Suez canal
House votes to overturn FCC Internet rules
US price increases hit consumers
Regional jitters as Bahrain, Libya bury dead protesters |
Two killed, 47 hurt in Iraq protest violence
Clearwire eyes end to Sprint fight
Pakistan raid netted al Qaeda "how-to-hijack" notes
Pakistan court delays immunity ruling on U.S. prisoner |
Up to 10 percent of US homes lack basic broadband
Egypt Victory March to test military rulers |
Iran accuses opposition chiefs of treason
Libyan protesters take to streets after demo deaths |
Car bomb in Iraq kills 13, wounds 33-sources
Obama to meet tech titans, including Apple's Jobs
Conflicting reports as Egypt denies barring Iran ships
U.S. sees N. Korea provocations but not missile test |
Apple's Jobs to attend Obama meeting
Cartel video game riles U.S.-Mexico border residents
Uganda votes after bitter presidential campaign |
Raft of players share Riviera PGA lead
Japan opposition nixes deal for PM to quit media: report |
Japan halts Antarctic whaling for rest of season
Suicide attack in east Afghanistan kills nine |
"Two and A Half Men" production to resume February 28
China upholds US geologist's conviction
In NY, Ralph Lauren opts for Chinese opulence
Global minimum and maximum temperatures
Mexico's refugees: a hidden cost of the drugs war |
Top US lawmakers reject Pakistan aid cuts in feud
Curtain up on World Cup marathon
Taiwan leader says US jets critical
Palestinians nix US bid to avoid UN settlement vote
China blocks U.N. report on N.Korea nuclear breaches
India to host new international art biennale
Horse semen on the menu at N.Z. food festival
N.Korea completes missile launch tower
Anna Nicole Smith: big in life, now big in opera
Russian contemporary art market takes off
Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue
Apple's Steve Jobs at tech CEO meeting with Obama |
Anna Nicole Smith opera wows critics in London
Nokia CEO says final Microsoft deal in couple months |
Anna Nicole lover weighs legal move on "trashy" opera
Seoul shares open up as exporters, shipyards gain
House votes to overturn FCC Internet rules |
Celebrity investment firm files for bankruptcy
RIM says not singled out on India security demands |
US lawmakers press Taiwan to lift beef ban
Feel-good "Idol" right for the times, producer says
Antitrust regulators look at new Apple service: WSJ |
Asian market boosts Pernod sales
Clearwire eyes end to Sprint fight |
China urges US to treat Chinese firms fairly
Cartel video game riles U.S.-Mexico border residents |
Afghan govt: Bad audit compounded Kabul Bank woes
Michael Jackson estate earns $310 million in revenue |
Feel-good Idol right for the times, producer says |
Two and A Half Men production to resume February 28 |
Celebrity investment firm files for bankruptcy |
G20 finance chiefs meet on global imbalances
Thousands gather at Cairo's Tahrir Square
Obama to name Intel CEO to White House jobs panel
Miner Anglo American 2010 profit nearly triples
Angry protests continue throughout the Middle East
Nokia sees Windows phone prices dropping fast
German minister renounces PhD in plagiarism row
Afghan police: Suicide bombing in east kills 8
Bahrain troops shoot at protesters: ex MP |
Thought-controlled bionic arm unveiled in US
Berlin 'wary' of taking EADS stake
Firewall architect admits skirting China barriers
India police broaden graft probe; shares take a hit |
RIM says not singled out on India security demands
Abbas likely to reject Obama request on settlements |
HK man gets prison for hoax e-mail terror warning
US-TECH Summary
Taiwan ex-leader's wife spared prison
Nokia sees Windows phone prices dropping fast
Arrest sought of US driver in Pakistan shooting
China targets leather protein in new food concern
Minimal, thoughtful: Japanese art and design in Seoul
FEATURE: New recruits build bonds at Korea's company boot camps
South Korean mountain resort upbeat on Olympic bid
Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be
Rod Stewart is father for 8th time
Obama to name Intel CEO to White House jobs panel |
FEATURE: Thai politicians turn to social media for election campaigning
Mexico carmaker hopes to have the last laugh
Thai PM keeps options open on ceasefire
Forests under threat as Armenians turn off the gas
Tap, trace, doodle: choices abound for phone users |
Thailand launches probe on palm oil hoarding
So much data, so little money for mobile operators |
Once-feared Tunisian ministry sets up Facebook page |
Inflation-hit India gains new price measure tool
Japan's Bridgestone net profit up, eyes 2011 fall
TomTom faces squeeze from rivals' free services |
Seoul shares rebound as shipyards rally
Workers pay high price at Bangladesh tanneries
Trade pact is 'win-win' for S. Korea, EU: envoy
Asian property market surges 59% in 2010: report
Pakstani c.bank to buy t-bills in 7-day reverse-repo
Pakistan
S.Korean shipyards jump led by Daewoo order hopes
Japan's Skymark signs for six Airbus A380s
Paparazzi lie in wait for prince's bride-to-be |
Film explores centuries-old Albanian blood feuds |
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights

USD EUR - 1 year graph		BlogMeter 1.01