Ship Breaking in Bangladesh

Source: http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/WORKS/Ships/Shipbreaking/Shipbreaking_11.jpg
The Observer on 6/5/12 highlighted the dangers in the recycling yards in Chittagong. It is estimated that over the last ten years hundreds of men working in the 125 breaking yards have died or been maimed or poisoned. Pollution is rife. Yet the industry ensures that all the materials are recycled, provides half the steel the country needs, employs over 20,000 people and the government collects £70m in revenue. The EU is now proposing laws stating that ships registered in Europe should be broken up only in licensed yards meeting strict new environmental guidelines. Few of these yards will pass without massive investment. See the website of the YPSA, an NGO working to improve the conditions of workers in the Chittagong ship breaking yards.

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