The Dutch clothing sector is taking up the fight against child labor, poor working conditions and low wages in developing countries like Bangladesh. This initiative is intended to reassure Dutch consumers that their clothing has been made responsibly. Issues like child labor, forced labor, a livable wage, safe working conditions and animal welfare will be addressed. From now on stores will follow their T-shirts all through the process – from cotton picking till shelf – to make sure that none of the above mentioned violations are involved. If there are any violations, companies have to intervene to improve conditions.

The Netherlands is not only one of the largest buyers of Bangladeshi garments but it also provides duty-free market access to Bangladesh. The Netherlands had earlier also resolved to support Bangladesh in getting a fair price for its largest exported commodity, apparels, in international markets.

In fact the Netherlands is the coordinator of donor efforts to improve working conditions in the Bangladesh textile sector. Trade relations between the Netherlands and Bangladesh range from agricultural products and services (food and live animals) to industrial products and services (chemicals, machinery, manufactured, miscellaneous). However, almost 85 per cent of Bangladesh’s exports to the Netherlands are garments in the textile and textile articles category.