Today marks the sixth month anniversary of the world’s deadliest garment industry disaster. Sadly, the victims’ families and surviving workers are continuing to fight for minimal compensation. The brands associated with the Rana Plaza disaster, with the exception of Primark, have refused to accept responsibility or are denying any association. Some have signed the Accord on Building and Fire Safety, but not all have committed. Rana Plaza: From Initial Outcry to Sustainable Call for Change’
It is still our hope that the initial outcry will result in a sustained effort to improve the working conditions in Bangladesh and globally. Of course this wasn’t the first disaster, but sadly, it wasn’t the last as well. 16 lives have been lost in apparel related fires since. With the eternal race to the bottom when it comes to price, we can only imagine that this isn’t ending any time soon. But, we as standard setters can demand more, and ask that the companies we support do the same.
What can we do?
- Call the brands you wear to sign on to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety.
- Demand that the brands that were associated with the Rana disaster compensate the victims’ families. Call their executives. In the US these include Children’s Place, Dress Barn, JC Penney, and Walmart.
- Pay attention to where your clothes are made.
- Ask questions. Do they pay a living wage? Are their factories safe and healthy?
- Buy from USA made brands
- Buy from ethical brands
For more on the Rana disaster, the Bangladesh garment industry and other ethical industry news, read our blog updates on Bangladesh or the Clean Clothes Campaign report Still Waiting.
As consumers,