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Compliance Codes and Women Workers’ (Mis)representation and (Non)recognition in the Apparel Industry of Bangladesh

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  • Fahreen Alamgir

    (Monash University)

  • Ozan N. Alakavuklar

    (Massey University)

Abstract

This paper explores how women workers in Bangladeshi garment factories are misrecognised and not represented in the apparel industry through focussing on two enacted collective compliance measure agreements adopted by global brands to improve safety and working conditions. Our paper draws on Amartya Sen’s rights-based approach to capabilities as a means of explaining the narratives of women trade union leaders and the experiences of women factory workers’ status in their workplace and in the industry. Specifically, we examine how a strategy of misrepresentation and nonrecognition of the women factory workers is being played out in the multi-stakeholder initiatives of compliance codes which leads to a lack of consideration for the basic human rights of the women workers. Our paper contributes to the discussion regarding how the politics of ethical procurement becomes visible through an exclusionary approach in managing the apparel global production network (GPN) despite the favourable consensus regarding the compliance codes.

Suggested Citation

  • Fahreen Alamgir & Ozan N. Alakavuklar, 2020. "Compliance Codes and Women Workers’ (Mis)representation and (Non)recognition in the Apparel Industry of Bangladesh," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(2), pages 295-310, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:165:y:2020:i:2:d:10.1007_s10551-018-4080-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-018-4080-2
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Rahima Akter & Julian Teicher & Quamrul Alam, 2024. "Gender-Based Violence and Harassment in Bangladesh’s Ready-Made Garments (RMG) Industry: Exploring Workplace Well-Being Issues in Policy and Practice," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, March.
    3. Fahreen Alamgir & Hari Bapuji & Raza Mir, 2022. "Challenges and Insights from South Asia for Imagining Ethical Organizations: Introduction to the Special Issue," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 177(4), pages 717-728, May.
    4. Shareef, Mahmud Akhter & Das, Ronnie & Ahmed, Jashim Uddin & Mishra, Anubhav & Sultana, Ishrat & Rahman, Mehe Z. & Mukerji, Bhasker, 2024. "Mandatory adoption of technology: Can UTAUT2 model capture managers behavioral intention?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    5. Rashedur Chowdhury, 2023. "Misrepresentation of Marginalized Groups: A Critique of Epistemic Neocolonialism," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 186(3), pages 553-570, September.
    6. Teea Kortetmäki & Anna Heikkinen & Ari Jokinen, 2023. "Particularizing Nonhuman Nature in Stakeholder Theory: The Recognition Approach," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 185(1), pages 17-31, June.
    7. Steffen Böhm & Michal Carrington & Nelarine Cornelius & Boudewijn Bruin & Michelle Greenwood & Louise Hassan & Tanusree Jain & Charlotte Karam & Arno Kourula & Laurence Romani & Suhaib Riaz & Deirdre , 2022. "Ethics at the Centre of Global and Local Challenges: Thoughts on the Future of Business Ethics," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 180(3), pages 835-861, October.
    8. Zhang, Yanming & Huo, Baofeng & Haney, Mark H. & Kang, Mingu, 2022. "The effect of buyer digital capability advantage on supplier unethical behavior: A moderated mediation model of relationship transparency and relational capital," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).

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