Ten years ago, the devastating Rana Plaza collapse in Dhaka proved just how deadly the business of making clothes could be for marginalised garment workers. In countries like Bangladesh where cheap clothing is produced at high volume, and wages are kept low, it’s these workers - mostly young women - who face the greatest exploitation and vulnerability.
As a result, a new consumer movement was born in the form of Fashion Revolution. New agreements, like what’s now known as the International Accord and Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, were developed. Supply chain transparency became a buzz phrase. We’d entered a new era of scrutiny, spotlighting working conditions, poverty wages and brands that failed to do the right thing. So far so good, but today the power imbalances persist between brands and suppliers that result in unfair purchasing practices persist, the right to unionise is by no means universally upheld and almost no big brands pay a living wage.
Events commemorating the disaster’s anniversary went hard on the hashtag, #ranaplazaneveragain - but how much has really changed since 2013? Are factories everywhere safer? How about fairer? To what extent has fashion production really become more ethical?
You're going to hear from three people who spend their days advocating for a better deal for garment workers:
TAMAZER AMED is ActionAid Bangladesh’s lead for Women’s Rights & Gender Equity.
SARAH KNOP is Baptist World Aid Australia’s Advocacy Manager.
NAYEEM EMRAN is Oxfam Australia’s Economic Justice Strategic Lead.
Check the shownotes for links and further reading.
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