We Never Forget: April 24, 2013 Rana Plaza Factory Collapse
-Savar Upazila, Dhaka District, Bangladesh -1,134 killed, 2,500 injured -Suspect: Sohel Rana, Charge: Murder -“The search for the dead ended on 13 May 2013 with a death toll of 1,134.”
Photograph by Sharat Chowdhury [edited] Rana Plaza Factory Collapse of April 24, 2013, at Dhaka, Bangladesh -Board of the Missing, taken April 27, 2013
From Warehouse Workers United – Statement from Kalpona Akter on Rana Plaza Factory Collapse of April 24, 2013
Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of workers lost in this tragic event.It must be said, these tragedies can be prevented by multinational corporations like Walmart and the Gap that operate in Bangladesh. Because of these companies’ negligence and willful ignorance, garment workers are in danger every day because of the unsafe working conditions.
As we learn more details, we will better understand the brands that were manufactured in these factories, but we already know that the largest retailers in the world hold tremendous power to transform conditions for garment workers – mostly young women – in Bangladesh.
Today’s news is yet another reminder that Walmart and the Gap must immediately adopt the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, a transparent and legally binding agreement that includes worker representation, independent building inspections, worker rights training, public disclosure and a long-overdue review of safety standards. The safety agreement is the first step toward ensuring no more lives are lost.
More from Warehouse Workers United:
Kalpona is the Executive Director of the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity. She is a former garment worker and is currently in the United States calling on retailers like Walmart, the Gap and Disney to lead on improving working conditions and adopting fires safety standards in Bangladesh.Today, international worker rights groups are calling for immediate action from international corporations and brands following the horrific news of a deadly collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Savar, in Dhaka Bangladesh. The collapse of the eight story building that housed five factories and a mall, has reportedly killed at least 80 people and injured over 800[*]. For the last month Kalpona has been touring the United States with Sumi Abedin, a young garment worker who jumped out of a third story window to save her life as the Tazreen factory burned killing on 112.
*As of April 28th: death toll-372, injured-more than 1000, missing-up to 900. The owner of the building had been arrested. http://beta.dawn.com/…
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Kalpona Akter “I have broken heart today… THIS IS ENOUGH, THIS IS ENOUGH.. how big will be the list the next time…?”
April 7-25, 2013 End Death Traps Tour. Kalpona Akter and Sumi Abedin visited 12 cities to raise awareness about the dangerous and sometimes deadly working conditions in Bangladeshi Factories. They are calling for the GAP and Walmart to sign the fire safety agreement and to pay reparations to the victims and families of the workers who died in the Tazreen Fashions fire.
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Tuesday April 30, 2013 -from Aljazeera: Bangladesh Death Toll Could Reach 1400
…At least 386 people were killed and 2,500 people escaped with injuries when the illegally constructed eight-storey Rana Plaza collapsed on April 24. According to one estimate, about 1,000 people are still missing, indicating that the death toll could end up in the neighbourhood of 1,400.The collapse has become the deadliest disaster to hit Bangladesh’s garment industry, which is worth $20bn annually and supplies global retailers.
Al Jazeera’s correspondent, whom we are not naming due to reporting restrictions, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who visited the site and met survivors, has promised to severely punish those responsible for the tragedy…
Most of the bodies have been handed to families except 49 that have been kept at the Dhaka Medical College Hospital for identification. Mahmud Ali of the Bangladesh Red Crescent Society said many more bodies are believed trapped under the rubble of the building, judging by stench of decomposing flesh still emanating.
“The true cost of cheap clothing.”Trailer for ‘The Machinists’ a documentary about garment workers in Bangladesh and the true cost of cheap clothing.. The documentary is seen through the eyes of 3 garment workers and looks at their every day lives, their struggles at home, the constant battles they face with their factory owners and puts a face to the men and women who make clothes for our high street.
