Salewa: “Made in Bangladesh”

Salewa: “Made in Bangladesh”

“We went to the source, to the origins of a product that respects the concept of sustainability. We went to Bangladesh.”

Altripiani took a trip to bangladesh and found out all about the company where Salewa produces its products.

Life at the company: Life and hope for several generations

At Comilla (Kadena Sportswear Limited) things are different. The traffic rules for Dhaka and the rest of the country do not apply here. It is not the strongest or the person who honks the loudest that wins. It is an organized oasis here. People respect one another. There are clearly defined roles: tailors, cutters, supervisors, and managers. It is a group of people who work together to create outstanding results.
They work together, much like crossing along a glacier. Hands move skillfully Garments pass quickly from one table to the next. Eyes focus upon the small details, yet smiles light up their faces. The braver ones want to take selfies with us, setting in motion an amusing vicious circle. They give Glorija flowers while I get high-fives. We’d like to hug each and every one of them.
The amount of people living below the poverty line is extremely high.  In the textile factories where Salewa manufactures its products, everyone is treated well, and everyone enjoys guarantees that are in no way commonplace in a country as afflicted as this, where most of the people lead a simple existence. First and foremost there is drinking water, followed by a guaranteed meal, bathrooms and showers, fresh air and doctor and optician providing healthcare. Then there are the maternity benefits and the nursery. Above all, however, the women who work here manage to get more respect and rights, thereby forging an important role for themselves within their families. This prevents them from entering into arranged marriages at a young age. Of course, although things in the factory move fast, there is also the cheerfulness of a peaceful environment where education is received, and respect for oneself and others is learned alongside a profession. The work that the Fair Wear Foundation checks and certifies is a source of life and hope across generations.