How Bangladesh’s Toxic Leather Industry Is Poisoning People And Rivers | Risky Business
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- Опубліковано 7 тра 2024
- The Bangladesh economy relies heavily on its leather sector, which employs nearly a million people. But the industry is also poisoning many of them. We followed a worker to see how he's risking his life and barely getting by.
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
00:57 - How Hides Get Turned Into Leather
02:56 - Child Labor
03:28 - The Health Risks
05:11 - How Hides Are Tanned
05:50 - How Workers Get Paid
07:07 - The Industry’s Environmental Impact
08:28 - The Industry’s Economic Impact
09:06 - What Comes Next For Leather Workers
10:27 - Credits
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How Bangladesh's $1.2 Billion Leather Industry Became So Deadly | Risky Business | Insider News
90% dead before fifty is a crazy number for survival odds in such a big industry central to the country's economy
I’m sure it’s relatively the same life expectancy regardless of industry there…
@@chriswren1825No. The average life expectancy in India is 71 years.
And 72 years in Bangladesh
Fake propaganda
It's like seeing Industrial Revolution from history textbooks with our own eyes. Workers are just underpaid disposable force. The environment is just a space to be exploited dumped with residues. All that matters are the profits for the factory owners and it's shareholders.
It's really shtty to live to here) that's everyday life for us.
Same thought came to mind 😢😢😢
Truly disheartening
I’ve never liked leather and never will.
@@krispykruzer: If we’re going to slaughter animals for food, shouldn’t we also use the leather?
Indian sub continent has a massive population, a lot of the problems simply wouldn't exist if these people simply had fewer children.
Avg british system
My favorite part was the sign that said "no mask, no entry" and a guy walking right by it with no mask.
It’s almost like they know but dont care
😂😂
It's directed for you, not them 😂
when?
Reminds me of the old head I used to work with that had a hole cut into a mask for cigarettes.
It doesn't smell as bad as you think... it smells worse.
True
Worse how😮? Ethiopia has one of the cheapest electricity rates in Africa, with the largest hydroelectric dam in Africa
@@Davisjunga He is not talking about rates, he is talking about smells. I have visited the tanneries site once and believe me, it smells horrible.
@@Davisjunga And I've got a nice red jumper. Not relevant when the video is about Bangladeshi leatherworkers.
@@DavisjungaThe video is about how terrible the working conditions are in Bangladeshi leather factories, not Ethiopia.
When you're getting cheap consumer goods, it's easy to look the other way.
not my problem, its indians problems
Now, this is journalism. Thank you, Insider News.
Thanks for watching!
Thanks for maintaining consistent quality and being as objective as possible.
As a Bangladeshi, it is sad to see such things. I've seen tanneries with my own eyes when I went to school. The smell is indeed awful but they moved away a few years ago. Its a necessary evil as it is an income source for many who don't know about any other occupation. I can only hope, the workers can get the required gloves, equipments & medical needs to prevent themselves from getting cancers. Indeed, it would be a treacherous journey for improving their poor living standards.
I feel so sorry for the people in your countries, and major companies who pay the lowest cost.
Between this and the sip breakers, and the plastic that other countries dump on Bangladesh, I am seriously concerned for the people of your country.
*ship breakers
I'm Bangladeshi. Someday i will get into these businesses. And i'm going to change the culture and save life.
Its the government, they are greedy and corrupt. Pouring profits over longterm sustainablity
And I’m worried about whether or not I’m separating my recycling correctly
Everyone can help make a better world, even little by little. Recycling diminishes the effects of waste on the environment, because we will be using the materials again or dispose of them with minimal impact. Meanwhile we see his country's gov at least trying to solve the tannery problems but they are tied when the industry brings so much money and can't invest on newer, safer tech.
So? These "documentaries" make you feel kind of guilty, make you think " oh, I have it so good, I shouldn't complain about my life" ?
What a nonsense.
Your ancestors have lived tough life and fought bitterly for your better life.
@@NothIng-bd9ci I don't think our ancestors ever had us, their future grandkids, in mind when fighting wars with each other for the sake of religion and implanting their traditions on others, they never thought of their actions when finding ever more toxic ways to destroy everything, even ourselves and even culture, for profit; they never thought what we would go through in the future. They just wanted to opress their undesirables, ingrain their religion in society, make reaps of money, breed to keep the power in the family, and make monuments - have legacies - so everyone would talk of them. The future NEVER mattered for our ancestors.
Except for the few that kickstarted the human rights movements and the ones that figured we are changing the world in a global scale. But we learned from our "selfish ancestors" to hate with passion the "aw*ken ancestors".
In the end, we do not need to feel tethered to this mythological creature called "The Ancestors". Real life ancestors are just people doing people things. Be grateful to "individuals" and "groups of people" that did stuff you find good, as the collective "The Ancestors" do not exist.
Recycling can be an utter waste of time.
I was told by a worker from McD's, not to bother separating my plastic from other waste ( as they ask you to do in their restaurants.)
She said in all goes in the same bin out back.
@@museonfilm8919 Good thing it happens at that specific McD's only, for as much as you were told. It would be nice to check if it's true. By the way, many people that see recycling as some political statement will tell all shorts of stories to discourage everyone of doing the right thing. It's all about some people not believing climate change is real or that it's some "shadow new order government's ploy for mass control" and forcing others to join the cult. They will even say it's devilish and the trans are behind it or something. The poor sods...
I am sure that this person (who is giving interview) will be fired by his boss for revealing their misdeeds to everyone.... I hope channel has given him enough money to compensate...😢
90 cents for transport and they cant afford it, this realy opened my eyes
Who said 90 cents?
And convert 1USD=BDT you will know the currency value.
1USD=110+TK as of today
Bangladesh has an arsenic problem in its groundwater and now they are dumping more chemicals into this precious resource?!?
I thought that a worker's salary of $9/day in Vietnam was low... And here they only get less than $65 a month. It's heartbreaking. 😥
What's the standard of living in Vietnam
@@gameZA40 What matters is where the standards are with each month.
If you live in a rural area, you have to spend at least ~$200 on basic energy, clean water, food, and fuel costs. Regarding incidental and entertainment expenses. up to 250-300$ (if you save)
In industrial areas, it's >$300 for similar basics. But the cost of entertainment, social interaction, and other incidental expenses can reach up to 400-500$.
When you live in a city - a commercial center like Saigon, costs can be 30-40% higher than living standards in industrial zones if you do not save, or do not need to save.
I can say that many Vietnamese-speaking sources or individuals talk about their living standards proudly as if they were living in paradise, always having an income of over 800~1000$/month. That is the standard of living where in Vietnam you can be considered well-off or rich. I won't complain about this group's statements that are spread on the internet. After all, common workers have a basic salary of 250-300$/month, so they won't have time to brag on the Internet. about their living standards while they have to work overtime 16 hours/day and 7 days a week to increase it to 400-500$/month
And if a person lives in the countryside, their income will be fixed at 150-250$/month.
@@gameZA40 What matters is where the standards are with each month. If you live in a rural area, you have to spend at least ~$200 on basic energy, clean water, food, and fuel costs. Regarding incidental and entertainment expenses. up to 250-300$ (if you save) In industrial areas, it's >$300 for similar basics. But the cost of entertainment, social interaction, and other incidental expenses can reach up to 400-500$. When you live in a city - a commercial center like Saigon, costs can be 30-40% higher than living standards in industrial zones if you do not save, or do not need to save. I can say that many Vietnamese-speaking sources or individuals talk about their living standards proudly as if they were living in paradise, always having an income of over 800~1000$/month. That is the standard of living where in Vietnam you can be considered well-off or rich. I won't complain about this group's statements that are spread on the internet. After all, common workers have a basic salary of 250-300$/month, so they won't have time to brag on the Internet. about their living standards while they have to work overtime 16 hours/day and 7 days a week to increase it to 400-500$/month And if a person lives in the countryside, their income will be fixed at 150-250$/month.
I mean, based on their economy? Eh
It's sad to see fast fashion and consumerism are the major driving forces to create the demand for such cheap raw materials. I hope the world gains more awareness that cheap raw materials are potentially the driving force for cheap unethical labour in less developed countries. While normal human beings would prefer to spend less, it is important to shop mindfully, reuse, repair, reduce purchases. Only purchases what is necessary. God bless.
How the hell can you meet demand as new markets emerge if we don’t exploit some workers? It’s the natural order of the global economy.
Every business which requires semi-processed raw materials runs like this. From the lithium batteries in EVs to the leather used in European haute couture companies.
Shopping "ethically" or whatever nonsense you spout to shift the blame of the monstrosities of capitalism on the non-existent sociopathic consumer is laughable.
The exploitation of labour is everywhere around us, in almost all products not just some specific "fast fashion" bullshit.
And God isn't coming to rectify the high and mighty injustices of this world anytime soon, so projecting your hopelessness on religiosity won't change anything and won't make anything better.
@@gaeig preach
@@CamAteUrKFC no one cares that you lack empathy receptors and you grew up without a father figure.
@@gaeig thank you for your wise wisdom
Not so fun fact: back in the day animal brains, urine, and feces were key ingredients in making leather
All nice and organic too
They use urine now...
A lot safer than the chemicals they use now.
Yes that's why they invented perfume in France... Because of the tanning process for leather... rich people complained about the smell of their leather gloves
@tanet I don't think hthats true. Leather is washed thoroughly after tanning so it shouldn't smell at all
Smells like corrupt politics and unscrupulous bussinessmen, they have no leash so they just do whatever they want, higher profit $$$ and human labour is cheap and plenty. Many of europe enterprisses produce in India etc. for this reason, no laws or consequences, ensalvement was abolished long ago and yet this resembles so much.
Yup, I live in bangladesh and you are completly right. We didn't choose be born here. Please cherish your country after seeing this ).
Even luxury brands.
Where do you think the leather for Vuitton or Hermes is coming from ? Italian leather is costlier...
Smells like Islam.
I hope that future Bangladeshi can improve the country and remove all the corrupt practices.
That formaldehyde tanning part was the most gruesome and life threatening of the whole process.
why?
@@jasonvoorhees5640You didn't hear the part where they said "pneumonia" and "bronchitis"?
Thanks Insider News, that was an interesting & educative video to watch.
I never tought such industrie was creating such pollution & putting so many lives at risk.
Leather a not-so-natural product.
Thanks for watching!
Life is dirt cheap in such countries.
Very indepth video of tanning industry
This breaks my heart
Thanks. I am from Dhaka and a prime witness of it.
This industry needs proper ETP and a proper working environment for workers.
Weighted against death from hunger or no education for the children, future cancer is a small price to pay. These rich countries are bereft if perspectives
The rich people live, right there. They are called bosses..
This is so sad to see, but people in the short-term just need to make ends meet.
But the problem is, it won't stop while corporations are making massive profits.
If the workforce start to demand more money, the corporations can simply choose somewhere else to exploit people.
It's a vicious circle.
No matter how much up we reach, someone has to be the footstep
People do what is necesssary to survive.
Same condition inside kolkata leather complex but Bengal goverment doesn't allow us to see
😊 Actually reality in Bangladesh too hard for specially for workers
4:44 the noise notice without protection is crazy
Thanks Bangladeshi people help the world❤
So very hardest working leaders stuff good jobs ❤❤❤
Just look at all the leather goods you own and wonder where the leather was sourced
I appreciate your pronunciation of "Dhaka".
Any program that I can donate to people like this? Like the money goes straight to them and I talk to them to see what they spend on and help them with life. That I would give money for. I am grateful for the life I have.
As yes, Calcium Hydroxide, the fancy name for Caustic Lime.
Unfortunately they have only two industry to choose...Leather or Terror...😢😢😢😢
Working as intended
Its always interesting to Watch certain parts of the World go through their Industrial Growth period. Ya, some things are very bad, too bad they haven't learned from the Other countries that did this a Century ago. Im still waiting on Africa, I think they can do it and grow out of the dirt.
seems like a countries problem fight for better working conditions
The world aspires to look good at the cost of such people.
1:17 "I didn't even consider another job". That's your problem right there.
I think of this when I see the careless affection towards our clothing
And the massive overpricing that benefits the banks only
Sometimes big companies contribute to such tragedies by manufacturing their products in countries like Bangladesh without ensuring the safety of workers and protection of the environment.
I’d like a leather jacket but very pricey
Last comment: "So why aren't we getting the same opportunities here in Bangladesh"? Well, it's because Bangladesh is currently at an early stage of development. Before Bangladesh, other countries did the exact same work: China, Egypt and many years ago, Europe and North America. After Bangladesh moves up to the next stage of development, this dangerous work will move somewhere else.
Yup, give it 100 years or so. They'll catch up.
How do you think the people of Bangladesh will move "up" if people are paid low wages to such an extent that they have no savings left to invest in the future of their children? And of course, the workers mention countless times that regulation laws regarding minimum wages are almost broken every time every worker gets paid. You know what will ACTUALLY happen? An elite class of local industrialists will grow up and concentrate power and then use that power in all sorts of ways to ensure the peasants stay as peasants and keep bringing money for them. It's easy to spout bourgeois nonsense from countries which were able to afford both capitalism and good standards of living by decades and decades of colonization and slavery.
Bruh Egypt is same as Bangladesh
Egypt & Bangladesh have almost same HDI,Per Capita and smaller economy than Bangladesh.
@@gaeig They will move up the same way other countries have moved up, and the same way they have already been moving up for several decades. If you saw what life was like in Bangladesh 30-40 years ago, you'd understand.
And just for the record, I have lived in the developing world for almost 30 years. I know what it's about from first hand experience.
@@pjacobsen1000 Yes living and working amongst amongst the local bourgeoisie gives all foreign workers a (dangerously delusional) sense that holistic development is really taking place in Bangladesh and India atleast, because without any government restrictions the bourgeoisie is the greatest beneficiary of exploiting these people who have neither education, nor land or money
So telling you or any Westerner the truth will only hurt the local bourgeoisie because all the major exporters of say, Bangladeshi products are European(companies) whose profits would be hurt if their activities were exposed to out-of-touch with reality western bourgeoisie sensibilities.
And I am a Bengali from the Hindu majority Bengali speaking region just across the border so I know far better than you what life on the ground really is like and the colonial history which made Bangladesh so poor in the first place
Also, I don't whether you are a capitalist or haven't the need to bother about the radically different histories of different regions of the developing world before the adoption of mostly free market export-oriented capitalism which in turn inform their "success" but just because "other countries did it" doesn't mean all developing countries will reach the same economic stage by adopting the same economic policies and if that's the best argument you have to believe Bangladesh will achieve some utopian economy and standard of life, then either you are extremely deluded or in extreme denial.
Owners making bank, offering no protection gear because of cost, help fuel caste system, and no medical. That is messed up.
at 12yrs old, i worked on a farm with dangerous equipment & dangerous chemicals, but i wasnt in india, i was in massachusetts. some of us dont need to leave the 1st world to live a life not too different from those in 3rd or 2nd world nations. people often assume its because my family owned the farm, nope. i got the job the same way migrant workers got theirs, by being good at the job, and willing to do work that others werent .
I grew up in an old American tanning town/city they been shut down all the tanneries years ago so it’s weird seeing what it actually looks like
This is how it was in the first world 100 years ago or more. You would have not seen it like this in your lifetime.
American tanneries are not like this. We have worker safety standards and modern equipment
8:08 bluds name is Lenin
And their employer get away with it. By not supplying them with protective gears are the first thing why they are in contact with that toxic. Also flushing away straight to the river simply contaminating other people for sure!
Chennai India had a suburb named after the affluent "Chromepet"
The person at 8:04 was names LENIN!
Another view for leather industry is, they are actually recycling all the hides produced by meat industry. Think where would all the hides go without them.
ps: of course working conditions and lack of waste water treatment is not acceptable in this region
Bangladesh facing so many bad effects by the pollution of the Tannerie industri which is located near the capital Dhaka .
I remember going on Google earth years ago and marveling at the scale of polluted dyed water entering the ocean around India.
All rainforest alliance - fair trade - usda certified by the moment they enter the US market I bet 😂
The most beautiful things, come from the most gruesome of places … it’s sad such is life …
Sorry i can't use faklether or faux leather aka platic shoes here in south Florida.. It's too hot
I am from India 🇮🇳
lot of people work very had to survive here too…
but rather than respecting it, the western media makes fun of it or shows disrespect…!!
if you make fun of such people…same conditions will come to you as Karma
I'm only buy leather products from countries that promote sustainable leather tanneries from now on :/
They are so hard working and resilient
Where do all the hides come from?
We eat a lot of cows.
Slaughterhouses, where you get your usual beef
Kinda crazy considering Hindus view cows as sacred & as objects to venerate
@@annieelle7501
This is Bangladesh, not India.
@@xijinpig8982 Clearly, @annieelle doesn't know that Bangladesh is Muslim while India is mostly Hindu.
Years ago the tanning chemicals where not so harsh, pee was used! So why not go back to older fashioned tanning? We would also get that delicious smell too.
Such a economy is dangerous
Everything is like this because of the population being far too large for a new country to handle. Since 1971 the countries birth it has advanced so much and I hope in 20 years time industries will be safer and more education for everyone as other parts of the country are advancing at crazy rates. I've seen it with my own eyes as I travel frequently back and forth.
Just curious. Where do the hides come from? What animal are they?
Is there anyway we can donate rubber boots to them ? And gloves ?
My family is from Bangladesh and they were lucky enough to move abroad. Inshallah that these workers and their families have the same opportunities in the future.
Maybe after 3 generation
After 3 gen hope banBangladesh will get highher than western nations@@rayhans7887
We don’t dream of leaving our country unlike some of you. We’ll stay here and try our best to make things better for our countrymen. Bangladesh will prosper in the hands of the new generation.
If everyone left their country, where would the country be left as....the reality is some of the ones who move abroad then make enough money to take it back and open these kind of factories, exploiting their own people for maximised profits.
Apex has a lot to answer.
This is like modern slavery, giving workers a piece ofcandy at the end of a dangerous, grueling day. Really sad.
This is why we need unions, in every country and every sector.
Hell suddenly seems a nice place after looking at this.
We literally killed the river which flows right beside Dhaka city..The river is now pitch Black
Before they die, do the chemicals give their skin extra armor by turning it to leather? Any upside?
Some MP in Bangladesh permanent said that we Bangladeshis are becoming mommies by constant pollution as our body wont decompose
I’m heart broken 💔
I guess paying off people is cheaper than proper disposal
But at what cost? 😔
Horrible conditions, and worste part is that a lot of these industry owners are rich as a MF.
I'm a leathercrafter, I purchase all my leather from Italy or America. Higher quality by far. Question is, if no one bought leather from them, what would happen to them? They need to organize and demand higher wages, the Europeans and Americans did it, time they stop blaming everyone else and stand up.
Have you purchased/worked with Leather processed in Bangladesh then??
I'll always pay double or tripe the price for something made in USA. Support the workers and the environment 😢
Makes me feel grateful and privileged to live in a first world country. Looks like Bangladesh will be on my blacklist of do-not-buy along with China.
Nobody cares
@@martinh619 you don't care so much that you took the time out of your day to tell everyone "HEY LOOK AT ME, I DON'T CARE". Kinda reminds me of a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.
Still first world country people cries for being depressed
those folks and their colleagues in the garments industry are working tirelessly in this same fashion to meet the requirements of your so called first world countries. People of BD barely consume those leather and garment products, they all are exported to your first world countries.
they have to work in such a way as there is no other way around. your first-world country companies always look for cheap labor, if some african country now offers cheaper labor than BD, they will shift their orders to there which will make these workers in BD unemployed.
i undoubtedly know you belong to usa cause such asinine statements are only expected from ignorant usa citizens who think the usa and some part of europe are the whole world and people from the rest of the world live in the same way they do.
grow up, see the world, understand people and first put american and european leather, garment and consemic companies who manufacture their products in BD into your blacklist of do-not-buy.
Yes much needed
Thank you for placing bookmarks or time stamps. I hope the voice of narrator may also come from the ASEAN countries too.
Without protection??? Ma'ma, don't you see those safety sandals
wow, a worker said he isn't paid enough...imagine that
Excess population leads to disasters
CEOs: “Cancer?…guys think of the shareholders!”
What are their government and institutions doing? Getting bribed by local business owners?
это капитализм )
We are the top corrupt country, what did you expect?
These countries are terrible. I've been to India and that was the worst experience of my life. Bangladesh is similar. 5 people trying to fix 1 bicycle tire. No kidding.
Why are they standing in the tanning liquid with bare feet? That's just not necessary...
Come to South East Asia and work
That's crazy how this man working to death for a full month is equal to me sitting in my car delivering food for 6 - 8 hours and then most that time is just me sitting around. I never really realized just how lucky I am to be born in America.
Killing the EARTH for money is NOT a trade I am willing to take!!!
so sad
about the kids that find themselves here
some of them are either orphans or were born in the streets
some have ran away from homes
some couldn't afford education
some didn't study well so their parents sent them to work there
As a Bangladeshi, It’s crazy to see Italian leather is selling sky rocket wether we make no profit at all. We think China is our main competition.
People used to dump animal hide due to no profit in Eid.😢
It's our fault. We have nasty syndicates and corrupt middle parties
Hemayetpur isn’t a Distinct
This world is nuts
It’s like they’re getting embalmed from the outside in
Well then get these workers some PPE and the government has to change in these lands.
Said they have to contaminate the worlds environment. There’s just too many people in those countries what’s even more sadder as they don’t have any health regulations to protect these workers the workers need to cease all work until they provide safety clothing gear, PPE if they fire them and bring somebody else in that’s when they need to correct that with you strong fist.