Fashion giants criticised over Bangladesh factory ‘snub’

Fashion giants have come under fire from campaign groups for not paying compensation to Rana Plaza victims.

After the Rana Plaza factory collapsed in April, killing almost 1,200 people, some British retailers who sourced products from the factory agreed to pay compensation to the families of victims.

However, some stores have now been heavily criticised by campaign group War on Want (WoW) for not joining ranks with the likes of Primark in offering financial support to those affected.

War on Want said in a statement, “More than four months since one of the world’s worst industrial calamities, Benetton, Bonmarché, Mango and Matalan have all so far failed to offer the victims compensation.”

In a statement sent to Blue & Green Tomorrow, the campaign group added, “Many bereaved families and jobless ex-Rana Plaza workers, some of them disabled – struggling to make ends meet on poverty wages before the tragedy – fear abject deprivation if the brands fail to provide adequate compensation.”

WoW calls for all companies who sourced garments from the factory to step up their responsibilities and offer support to victims.

The International Labour Organisation will host a conference tomorrow in Geneva. Representatives from Benetton and Mango have so far failed to confirm their attendance, but Bonmarché have said in a statement that they would attend the conference to discuss the possibility of compensation.

“Bonmarché can confirm that a Senior Representative will be attending the IndustriALL meeting in Geneva, that will include discussions on compensation levels for those affected by the Rana Plaza disaster.”

Further reading:

UK retail chains must lift sweatshop workers out of poverty, says union leader

Talks ‘ongoing’ with Topshop boss Sir Philip Green over Bangladesh safety pledge

Sedex launches film series in a bid to improve responsible sourcing

Pressure group brings Bangladesh tragedy survivors to Walmart AGM

Bangladesh tragedy ‘could have been avoided’