Archive for September, 2004
30
Sep
Testimony of Maksuda
Maksuda is 19 years old and has worked in the garment factories since she was 11. When she first started, as a helper in 1996, she earned just 2 cents an hour and 99 cents a week. Currently Maksuda, who also frequently sews Wal-Mart garments, is earning $8.34 a week, or 17 cents an hour. Maksuda is a single mother with a two-year-old daughter. The factory at which she was working during her pregnancy cheated her of her legal right to maternity leave at full pay. Her typical work schedule is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., working six or seven days a week. It takes her 25 minutes to walk home at night, and it is only after she feeds her child, and washes and prepares their clothing for the next day that she can go to bed, usually around midnight.
In the wake of the devastating floods, Maksuda's one-room house is still under two feet of filthy water and sewage. She has lost most of her possessions.
Click here to read the transcript of an interview with her on Dateline NBC.
Read the testimonies of Robina and Sknazma. Click here to see an NBC Dateline peice including an interview with Maksuda.
Click here to read more about the 2004 NLC Bangladesh Worker Tour.
30
Sep
Testimony of Maksuda
Maksuda is 19 years old and has worked in the garment factories since she was 11. When she first started, as a helper in 1996, she earned just 2 cents an hour and 99 cents a week. Currently Maksuda, who also frequently sews Wal-Mart garments, is earning $8.34 a week, or 17 cents an hour. Maksuda is a single mother with a two-year-old daughter. The factory at which she was working during her pregnancy cheated her of her legal right to maternity leave at full pay. Her typical work schedule is from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., working six or seven days a week. It takes her 25 minutes to walk home at night, and it is only after she feeds her child, and washes and prepares their clothing for the next day that she can go to bed, usually around midnight.
In the wake of the devastating floods, Maksuda's one-room house is still under two feet of filthy water and sewage. She has lost most of her possessions.
Click here to read the transcript of an interview with her on Dateline NBC.
Read the testimonies of Robina and Sknazma. Click here to see an NBC Dateline peice including an interview with Maksuda.
Click here to read more about the 2004 NLC Bangladesh Worker Tour.
