News - Features - Rana Plaza one year on: what has changed?

News - Features - Rana Plaza one year on: what has changed?:

On 24 April 2013, Rana Plaza – an eight-storey complex containing several clothing factories – collapsed in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Some 1,135 garment workers died and over 2,500 were injured in the biggest disaster the Bangladeshi garment industry has ever seen.

The tragedy captured global attention with coverage routinely detailing the horrific working conditions employees were forced to endure, inspectors easily subverted by corruption and factories built on illegally occupied land.

What action has been taken to address these revelations of pervasive, entrenched corruption?

There needs to be recognition that the “made in Bangladesh” brand faces a threat if meaningful change does not occur. Various initiatives have been set up and legislation amended in the last year to protect the lives and livelihoods of millions of workers employed in a sector vital to the country’s economy.

 

Transparency International