European nations are by far the top importers of fashion goods from Bangladesh and the pandemic has forced many companies in Europe to cancel/delay orders or ask for rebates.
The result of the sudden halt in the supply chain has left Bangladeshi manufacturers with a surfeit of apparel and fashion goods in their warehouses that currently have no use.
British fashion app Mallzee is now helping these companies sell excess products and garments in order to raise money for the suffering class of garment factory workers who have been rendered without pay.
Under the app’s Lost Stock Initiative, clothes with brand tags removed are being packed in boxes and sold for US $ 44 each. Notably, 37 per cent of the proceeds are being donated to charity organisations providing food and essentials to the unemployed workers.
The other motive behind selling the cancelled stock is to prevent them from ending up in landfills. Although the labour advocates in Bangladesh are praising the efforts of Mallzee, they do not want the global brands to walk away scot-free for abandoning their commitments, endangering the livelihood of thousands.
In view of this gross injustice, many Bangladeshi manufacturers are moving to blacklist brands that have refused to pay debts and bills.
Since the start of the initiative, Mallzee has successfully sold over 80,000 boxes, surpassing its initial goal of 10,000 boxes.
Working in partnership with Sajida Foundation, 80,000 garment workers and their families will be the recipients of food, sanitary products and aid packages next month onwards.