Today marks two years since the Rana Plaza disaster which killed 1,135 workers and injured over 2,500 people.
It is important we remember victims and offer solidarity to the families of the bereaved. All practical efforts to raise funds to rehabilitate survivors must be supported.
The anniversary also provides a chance to redouble efforts to build a better future for the millions of Bangladeshis who work in the RMG sector.
Official government efforts and the Accord and Alliance stakeholder safety initiatives have made considerable progress with inspecting factories and identifying areas for improvement. Renewed attention has also been given to labour rights issues and the minimum wage was raised after a long hiatus.
All this comes amid an ever competitive global marketplace putting huge pressures on factory owners. It is a testament to the industry’s collective resilience that it has continued to grow and reach out to new markets despite all the pressures it is facing. It is also encouraging to see the BGMEA launch a new Centre of Excellence to improve research and development to raise productivity in the apparel industry.
We hope all the hard work will pay off by securing bigger orders to help the industry keep funding improvements and new factories. Building a safer, more sustainable, and more successful garment industry will be the best and most lasting memorial to those who suffered at Rana Plaza.
