Factory collapse highlights unregulated industry

In the wake of the Bangladeshi clothing factory that collapsed and killed 380 people, British fashion designer Paul Smith has reminded manufacturers of their responsibility to check the safety conditions in their factories abroad. “I think the responsibility

lies with the actual manufacturers, the people that are getting clothes manufactured in different areas of the world, to just check the factories out,” Sir Paul said, when asked what lessons could be learned from the disaster in the Bangladeshi capital Dhaka.

Bangladesh

industry worth 13 billion pounds

The collapse of the factory has renewed the attention that garment industry is highly unregulated, reports the Independent broadsheet. Currently it is worth an annual 13 billion pounds to the economy of Bangladesh which which brings workers as little as 25 pounds.

While this disaster has been the deadliest to hit the garment industry, it is far from unique; last November, a fire at the Tazreen Fashions factory killed 112 people. US rapper and producer Sean Combs was among those who sourced clothes from the factory.

Amid an outpouring of frustration and anger, activists have said Western companies must do more to help improve labour conditions inside the garment industry, which employes 3 million in Bangladesh and accounts for 80 percent of its exports.

Activists have said companies should sign up to the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, which would require signatories to fit out their suppliers’ premises to full safety standards. So far only PVH, the owner of the Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger labels, and German retailer Tchibo, have done so.

Image: Bangaldesh factory