Independent media needs you. Join the Tyee.

The Hook: Political news, freshly caught

Retailers pressured on anniversary of lethal Bangladesh factory fire

From the sun-blasted streets of Dhaka to the wet sidewalks outside a Burnaby mall, the Canadian labour movement today marked the first anniversary of the most lethal incident in garment worker history, the factory collapse and fire at the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh that killed over 1,130 workers.

As tens of thousands of Bangladeshi workers, joined by a delegation of Canadian labour leaders, filled Dhaka's streets, other workers around the world held rallies to demand that victims and survivors be compensated for their losses and that the large apparel retailers who drive the globalized garment trade support a binding safety accord for factories in Bangladesh.

At Burnaby's Metrotown Mall, a boisterous group of 50 demonstrators convened by the BC Federation of Labour targeted the retail outlet the Children's Place, a garment company that was producing apparel at the Rana Plaza last year, along with a number of others, when the fire occurred.

The fire and others like it in Bangladesh have been linked to management negligence and unfair labour practices.

Demonstrators marched through the mall after a BC Fed representative delivered a letter to bewildered retail clerks at the children's clothing outlet.

Addressed "Dear Store Manager," the letter called on the company to contribute the US$8 million that Bangladeshi labour groups and non-governmental organizations calculate as the Children's Place fair share of the US$40 million needed to compensate survivors.

"Children's Place profited from cheap labour of these workers, yet failed to take sufficient responsibility for this disaster," the letter read. "We urge Children's Place to immediately pay the full $8 million that the company owes to the Rana Plaza survivors and families."

Children's Place, like Walmart and other American garment industry giants, has declined to endorse the binding factory fire and safety accord promoted by NGOs and unions in Bangladesh, but, again like Walmart, Children's Place has made modest donations to a trust fund for Rana survivors.

The donation was reportedly about half a million dollars.

In a statement posted on Facebook May 1, 2013, Children's Place said: "The Children's Place is deeply saddened by the recent terrible tragedy that occurred in Savar, Bangladesh. Our immediate focus has been to work with our personnel in Bangladesh to identify how we can best support relief efforts -- something that we are actively doing.

"Despite certain media reports that have suggested differently, we have been very clear in all our statements since this tragic event that one of our suppliers was located in the building that collapsed. While none of our apparel was being produced there at the time of the tragedy, we are fully aware of our responsibilities in the aftermath of this event and will be taking all appropriate steps to provide financial and other aid to those impacted.

"We are also working with our fellow retailers and other organizations to ensure appropriate measures are put in place to avoid future safety issues. We will be evaluating a number of alternatives to support that goal -- including participating in discussions with various industry and NGO groups -- and will be active in supporting important, systemic reform.

"Most importantly, our primary concern is getting financial aid and other services to the impacted people in Savar in a timely manner and we are fully committed to doing so."

In fiscal 2013, gross profit for Children's Place global operations was reported as US$665.5 million.

In 2012 Jane Elfers, Children's Place CEO, ranked number nine on Fortune magazine's list of the world's best-paid women, raking in over US$17 million that year.

Tom Sandborn covers labour and health policy beats for the Tyee. He welcomes your feedback and story tips at [email protected].

Find more in:

What have we missed? What do you think? We want to know. Comment below. Keep in mind:

Do:

  • Verify facts, debunk rumours
  • Add context and background
  • Spot typos and logical fallacies
  • Highlight reporting blind spots
  • Ignore trolls
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity
  • Connect with each other

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist or homophobic language
  • Libel or defame
  • Bully or troll
  • Troll patrol. Instead, flag suspect activity.
comments powered by Disqus