One Year After Factory Disaster, What Have We Learned?

The Rana Plaza catastrophe on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on April 24, 2013, that left 1,138 dead and more than 2,000 injured (Photo Credit: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images).

The Rana Plaza catastrophe on the outskirts of the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka on April 24, 2013, that left 1,138 dead and more than 2,000 injured (Photo Credit: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images).

Today is the one-year anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza garment factory building in Bangladesh, which left more than 1,100 workers dead and many more injured.  The disaster has become the most shocking recent example of business-related human rights abuse, and the images of dead workers in the debris of the collapsed factory have become powerful symbols of the pursuit of profit at the expense of people.

The Rana Plaza building housed numerous garment factories supplying international clothing companies. Over the past year, there have been various initiatives to provide compensation to the victims, involving government, global brands, and the International Labor Organization (ILO). However, these efforts have so far proved insufficient, and survivors continue to suffer and struggle to support themselves and their families.

One of the most shocking claims that has subsequently come to light is that workers did not want to enter the building because of safety concerns – cracks had been seen in the walls the day before and the building had been shut down. Despite this, managers ordered workers to enter the building.

Bangladeshi garment worker Reshma Akter, was the 'miracle' seamstress, plucked from the rubble of the garment factory disaster 17 days after Rana Plaza collapsed (Photo Credit: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images).

Bangladeshi garment worker Reshma Akter, was the ‘miracle’ seamstress, plucked from the rubble of the garment factory disaster 17 days after Rana Plaza collapsed (Photo Credit: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images).

Naturally, there has been much debate on the causes of the disaster, who was responsible, and how such a catastrophe could be avoided in future. Discussion has focused on the nature of global supply chains, workers’ rights and safety standards, and the huge market for cheap fashion in the West.

But one particular systemic issue has been too neglected: corporate power and the relationship between business and government.

The high degree of political influence by the garment industry in Bangladesh is apparent. Transparency International estimates that 10% of the country’s members of parliament are directly involved in the sector, including members of key committees. A recent report by New York University highlighted how the garment industry’s close relationship with government is a primary reason for why labor laws are so badly enforced in Bangladesh.

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis joined the International Workers Day protests this past May to demand the execution of textile bosses over the collapse of a factory complex, as rescuers warned the final toll could be more than 500 (Photo Credit: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images).

Tens of thousands of Bangladeshis joined the International Workers Day protests this past May to demand the execution of textile bosses over the collapse of a factory complex, as rescuers warned the final toll could be more than 500 (Photo Credit: Munir Uz Zaman/AFP/Getty Images).

Amnesty International’s own research has highlighted the pervasive problem of undue corporate influence on governments. The private sector is of course entitled to engage with governments, and can legitimately influence State policy; however, all too often business interests and profits are prioritized over human rights and can prevent victims from obtaining justice.

Corporate involvement in policy-making must be transparent and legitimate, and business influence must not be allowed to grow to the point that victims are powerless to claim their rights to effective remedy. Two ways of achieving this are to greatly improve disclosure of corporate lobbying efforts and to require that State efforts to shape foreign economic and investment policies are subject to a test of their potential impacts on human rights.

As long as business continues to have a disproportionate influence on States, another Rana Plaza is not far away. Governments will be far less likely to enforce laws or preventative measures that will protect workers from human rights abuses, and, like in Bangladesh, those who have suffered the worst will be left without justice and compensation.

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One thought on “One Year After Factory Disaster, What Have We Learned?

  1. Thank you all for the work you do to uphold the garment workers with most feeble voice.
    The neglect and the inhumanity remains very shameful for the "Civilized" world.
    Local, National, and International Laws are all violated most expediently and has no signs of letting up.
    Legal frame works exist but most of these are so arcane, slow and costly for all sides.
    Social and Consumer pressure may work better.
    Thank you all again for your work.