Brands fail victims of Bangladesh disasters

published 09-09-2013 16:30, last modified 09-09-2013 19:50

The Clean Clothes Campaign welcomes the news that 12 brands have agreed to attend meetings in Geneva to discuss the provision of long term compensation to the victims of the Rana Plaza and Tazreen factory diasters in Bangladesh. However it remains shocked at the refusal of over twenty others to take responsibility. It calls on the remaining brands, including Walmart, Benetton and Mango to reconsider and take part in the negotiations.

Brands fail victims of Bangladesh disasters

Over twenty brands refuse discuss compensation for dead and injured workers
Twelve brands committed to attend meetings

Clean Clothes Campaign urges all, including Walmart, Benetton and Mango to attend

The meetings have been called by the global union IndustriALL and will be hosted by the International Labour Organisation, who will also act as a neutral chair. The participants will discuss the setting up of a fund to pay out compensation to those families affected by the fire at Tazreen Fashions in November 2012 and the collapse of five garment factories housed at the Rana Plaza building in April 2013. The compensation amounts under discussion should cover payment for pain and suffering, loss of income, educational costs for children who lost parents and medical expenses. It is expected that funds will be contributed by all stakeholders including brands, the industry and the Bangladesh government.

“It is now almost nine months since the fire at Tazreen and five months since the collapse at Rana Plaza,” said Ineke Zeldenrust of the Clean Clothes Campaign. “Those families affected are struggling to cope in the aftermath of these disasters and we are hearing daily of families at risk of losing their homes and struggling to get the medical and psychological treatment they need. The issue of compensation is urgent and pressing and we hope for a constructive meeting and a positive outcome for these workers and their families.”

A number of brands and retailers have, to date, refused to accept responsibility for the fate of the workers killed and injured in the two disasters. Walmart, which was linked to both Tazreen and Rana Plaza, has yet to make any commitment to the payment of compensation in either case. Benetton and Mango, both of whom had orders at factories housed in Rana Plaza have also remained silent on whether they will attend the meeting.

“These workers risked their lives earning a pittance to make clothes for Walmart, Benetton and Mango,” added Zeldenrust.“As a result they have lost their jobs, their health and in the worst cases their lives. The least these brands can do now is commit to paying what is needed for these families to start rebuilding their future. We urge all of them to take responsibility for the lives ruined by these disasters and to attend the meetings this week.”

Filed under: Tazreen, compensation, Rana Plaza, factory collapse, factory fire

News & Press Releases

See also: Amidst Wave of Deadly Fires, Bangladesh Government Threatens to Expel the Only Credible Building Safety Programme in the Country and Further Suppress Workers’ Rights
On the sixth anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse, labour rights groups are calling on ...; Complaint filed against Italian auditor for ignoring fatal flaws in garment factory
More than 250 people died and dozens were injured in a fire at the Ali Enterprises textile factory ...; Workers' Right to Compensation after Garment Factory Disasters: Making Rights a Reality
Although it’s been five years since the Rana Plaza garment factory collapse, in many countries ...; Clean Clothes Campaign statement on five years anniversary of Tazreen Fashions fire
Five years ago today, the Tazreen Fashions factory in Bangladesh went up in flames. Over 112 ...; Four years since Aswad fire compensation by brands can no longer wait
Today four years ago, a fire broke out in the Aswad Composite Mills textile mill in Bangladesh, ...; Global support for Bangladesh factory safety surpasses one million
Over one million people have signed petitions calling for brands sourcing from Bangladesh to sign ...; Textile mill fire in Bangladesh signals need for expanded safety inspections and remedy
A devastating fire in a Bangladesh textile mill at the beginning of this month reaffirms the need ...; Four years after Rana Plaza: steps in the right direction but a lot remains to be done
On 24 April 2017 the Clean Clothes Campaign network will be remembering those killed and injured at ...; Landmark compensation arrangement reached on 4th anniversary of deadly Pakistan factory fire
After four years of campaigning and months of negotiations, an agreement has been reached to pay ...; Compensation arrangement agreed for victims of the Ali Enterprise factory fire in Pakistan
An agreement in excess of US$5 million has been reached to provide compensation for loss of income, ...; more ...