HRW: European Companies Ditching Toxic Ships on Bangladesh Beaches

Image copyright: Wikimedia Commons

The Spin

Narrative A

Many European shipping companies deliberately use loopholes in international regulations to beach their end-of-life ships in Bangladesh where protections are known to be inadequate. Instead of trying to profiteer by greenwashing unsafe practices, these firms should invest in building stable platform facilities that protect workers' rights and correctly handle waste disposal.

Narrative B

It's certain that working conditions at many shipbreaking yards in Bangladesh remain precarious, but the country has been gradually addressing these issues over the past decade in compliance with international regulations. If it weren't for setbacks including the pandemic and the Ukraine War, all yards in the South Asian nation would have already turned into green facilities that prioritize workers safety and the environment.

Metaculus Prediction


Articles on this story

Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters
Sign Up for Our Free Newsletters

Sign Up!
Sign Up Now!