In Bangladesh, More Risks to the Textile Industry

The international textiles and garment industry is growing wary of Bangladesh as the South Asian nation braces itself for potentially violent political upheaval. The ruling Awami League-led government's term will end Oct. 25, and according to the constitution, new elections must be held within 90 days. Nearly every political transition since 1990 has been politically contentious, but what complicates the current environment are recent strikes among textile laborers, who are upset with what they believe are inadequate working conditions. Bangladesh is no stranger to political instability, but sustained disruptions to the textile supply trade may discourage foreign investors from pouring money into the world's second-largest textile exporter.