Asia Society in New York is playing host to a series of images of ship breakers in Bangladesh by photojournalist Robert Bailey.
“Explore one of many dilemmas faced by developing nations rapidly globalizing with this photography display. Bangladesh’s ship-breaking yards literally break apart old ships from all over the world, transforming them into scrap metal. These yards provide mass employment for Bangladeshi workers, many of whom have low-skills and few employment alternatives. However, the working conditions are extremely hazardous. Among other dangers, the shipbreakers are exposed to high levels of toxic chemicals that are handled without protection or regulation. As demand expands and competition grows among countries with low levels of industrialization, the acuteness of this dilemma will only increase. These photographs highlight the quiet dignity of manual laborers engaged in this difficult work.”
I'll be showcasing those very same images here on Tiffinbox beginning sometime this week. Please keep checking back.