Here is a plan. All clothes retailers and importers across the EU pay a three per cent levy at the point of import on all clothing sourced from Asian and third world countries.
Importers and retailers will be required NOT to pass on this extra charge to the consumer.
The levy would be collected by HMRC and Tax collection agencies in the EU who would not charge the taxpayer for the additional administration – that would be paid for from the Exchequer or Government Finance Departments.
The levy would be paid by HMRC Government or Finance Departments directly back to the stitchers, cloth cutters and basic workers.
It would NOT be a levy that will be paid to managers, business operators or management. This could be administered and over-viewed by charities and NGOs on site.
The Fair Cloth Levy would also carry a logo stitched to all clothing. European retailers and importers would be obliged by law to participate.
This appalling situation and of the manner in which these poor workers live their lives so that we can have a shirt on our back or a tie around our neck must come to an end now. The quality of the lives of workers not only in Bangladesh but across the world where these workers operate would greatly improve as a result of better pay which in the end will lead to happier conditions, improved health and an incentive towards education. It is our responsibility in the free Western world to look after our brothers and sisters, our fellow human beings while we bathe in our freedom and inexpensive clothing.
Up until now we have all taken for granted and big organisations have cashed in on the men, women and even children who have stitched the clothes you and I are wearing at as you read this piece.
It’s a simple solution that will cost us nothing at this end and bring everything to the other end.
