Bangladesh garment factory collapse

Definition

The Bangladesh garment factory collapse refers to a tragic event that occurred on April 24, 2013, when the Rana Plaza building in Dhaka, Bangladesh, which housed several garment factories, collapsed, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 workers. This disaster highlighted severe issues within the garment industry, particularly concerning safety standards, labor rights, and corporate accountability.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Rana Plaza collapse is considered one of the worst industrial disasters in history, with over 1,100 fatalities and thousands more injured.
2. Before the collapse, warnings about cracks in the building had been ignored by factory owners and officials, showcasing a disregard for worker safety.
3. The disaster sparked global outrage and led to increased scrutiny of labor practices within the garment industry, particularly regarding supply chain management.
4. In response to the tragedy, initiatives like the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh were established to improve safety standards and conditions for workers.
5. The incident raised awareness about human rights due diligence in business practices, emphasizing the need for companies to actively monitor and manage risks related to worker safety.

Review Questions

• How did the collapse of Rana Plaza influence global perceptions of worker safety in the garment industry?
  • The Rana Plaza collapse dramatically shifted global perceptions of worker safety by exposing the dangerous working conditions that many garment workers faced. It highlighted how profit-driven practices often came at the expense of human lives and well-being. This tragedy prompted consumers and advocacy groups to demand better safety regulations and accountability from brands sourcing from Bangladesh, ultimately leading to reforms aimed at improving workplace safety.
• Discuss the role of corporate responsibility in preventing tragedies like the Bangladesh garment factory collapse.
  • Corporate responsibility plays a crucial role in preventing tragedies such as the Bangladesh garment factory collapse by ensuring that companies take proactive measures to safeguard worker rights and safety. Brands are increasingly held accountable for their supply chains, requiring them to conduct thorough human rights due diligence to identify and mitigate risks. By committing to ethical sourcing practices and monitoring factory conditions, companies can help protect workers and prevent future disasters.
• Evaluate how the events surrounding the Bangladesh garment factory collapse have shaped policies related to human rights due diligence in international business practices.
  • The events following the Bangladesh garment factory collapse have significantly shaped policies related to human rights due diligence by prompting governments and organizations worldwide to establish stricter guidelines for corporate behavior. Increased pressure for transparency in supply chains has led to legislative measures requiring companies to disclose their labor practices and risk assessments. Additionally, many multinational corporations have adopted enhanced due diligence frameworks to ensure compliance with human rights standards, creating a ripple effect that encourages ethical business practices globally.

Related terms

Rana Plaza: The eight-story building in Dhaka that collapsed, housing multiple garment factories and shops, becoming the site of one of the deadliest industrial disasters in history.

Factory Safety Standards: Regulations and protocols intended to ensure safe working conditions for employees in manufacturing facilities, which were significantly lacking in the Bangladeshi garment sector prior to the collapse.

Human Rights Due Diligence: The process by which companies assess and address potential human rights impacts in their operations and supply chains, crucial for preventing incidents like the Rana Plaza collapse.