3.11.1. Case Study: Bangladesh Rana Plaza Collapse 2013 Flashcards
Location
Dhaka, Bangladesh
Date
April 24th 2013
Incident
The Rana Plaza, an 8 story commercial building housing garment factories collapsed
How many people were killed?
1134
How many people were injured?
> 2500
Cause
Structural failures due to unauthorised additions, poor building materials, and lack of enforcement of safety regulations.
Factory workers were ordered to continue working despite visible cracks in the building.
Key issues highlighted
- Exploitation of workers
- Globalisation and fast fashion
- Environmental implications
Exploitation of workers
- Workers were earning as little as $38 per month
- Poor working conditions, excessive hours and lack of safety measures
- Strong pressure from international brands for low production costs
Globalisation and fast fashion
- Bangladesh is the second largest garment exporter after China
- Major Western brands sourced clothing from Rana Plaza factories
- Intense competition in fast fashion led to cost cutting and unsafe working conditions
Environmental implications
- The garment industry is one of the largest polluters, causing water contamination and textile waste.
- Overuse of water resources and pollution from dyeing and processing textiles
Responses and reforms
- The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety
- Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethical Sourcing
- Workers protests and legal action
The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety
- Legally binding agreement between global brands, trade unions and NGOs
- Covered 1600+ factories and involved independent safety inspections
- Led to over 100,000 safety improvements, including structural repairs and fire safety measures
- Extended in 2018 as the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry
Success of The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety
Improved safety standards and reduced factory collapses
Criticism of The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety
Some brands withdrew and enforcement remains a challenge
Corporate social responsibility and ethical sourcing
- Brands pledged to improve transparency and audit supply chains
- Introduction of worker compensation funds
- Increased consumer awareness through campaigns like #WhoMadeMyClothes
Success of Corporate social responsibility and ethical sourcing
More scrutiny on labour conditions, some brands improved factory monitoring
Criticism of Corporate social responsibility and ethical sourcing
Many brands still prioritise profit over ethics, and voluntary CSR measures lack enforcment
Worker protests and legal action
- Thousands protested for better wages and rights
- Factory owners and government officials faced legal action, though justice has been slow
Evaluation: improvements
- Enhanced safety regulations and better monitoring
- More consumer awareness and pressure on brands
Ongoing issues
- Wages remain low and working conditions are still harsh in many factories
- Brands still shift production to cheaper, less regulated countries
- Fast fashion continues to fuel exploitative labour prices
