Rana Plaza Collapse One Year On

Global Day of Action on 24th April 2014

On April 24th 2014 it will be one year since the Rana Plaza collapse in the Bangladesh capital, Dhaka.  At least 1,138 people were killed and an estimated 2,500 people were injured.  Despite emerging cracks in the building resulting in an evacuation order being issued the day before the collapse, and adhered to by the banks and shops on the lower floors, the garment workers, who produced clothing for Western firms, had been ordered to return to work on the morning of the 24th April by their managers.  Those managers declared the building safe and threatened to withhold pay for those who didn’t go back to work. Hours later the building collapsed.

In Bangladesh, dangerous factory conditions are commonplace in the clothing industry. The minimum wage is also amongst the lowest in the region.  But since the collapse, more than 130 companies have signed onto the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord including Australian companies Cotton On, Kmart, Target, Forever New, Specialty Fashion Group (incl. Katies, Millers and Rivers) Woolworths, Pacific Brands (owns Bonds, Berlei) and Pretty Girl Fashion Group.  However there are still some companies which have not signed this Accord.

You are invited to take part in a Global Day of Action on April 24th, calling on the brands and retailers whose clothes were made at Rana Plaza to pay their fair share of compensation.  Join this campaign by asking Australian Companies to sign the Accord.  To find out how click here.