Workers unions and international labour-rights organisations are demanding an overhaul of safety regulations in the Bangladesh apparel industry after a fire killed 21 people at a garment factory at the end of last month.
An electrical short circuit was blamed for starting the blaze at knitwear supplier Garib & Garib, which left up to 50 workers injured. But according to the Clean Clothes Campaign, “workers were trapped inside the burning building when emergency exits appeared locked, stairways blocked with goods and production materials, and ventilation in the building was poor.”
Fire fighters also reported that the factory's fire equipment was “virtually useless,” it said. A fire in the same factory killed a fire fighter and injured seven in August 2009.
“We need a thorough review of how health and safety regulations are being implemented,” said Mr Amirul Haq Amin of the National Garment Workers Federation. “The fire at Garib & Garib is no exception. Everywhere the regulations are ignored. Unless we change the situation now, similar dramas will continue to happen.”
Brands such as H&M and the Italian Terranova, which source from the factory, are also accused of sloppy monitoring of their own supply-chain safety rules.
An H&M spokesperson confirmed to just-style earlier this month that its last audit didn't reveal any severe fire safety issues.
But labour rights groups say US supermarket giant Wal-Mart and the Canadian workwear company Marks Workwear House stopped sourcing from the factory over its “lamentable” safety measures.
The Clean Clothes Campaign accuses fashion brands, government and manufacturers of “criminal negligence” for focusing on making money rather than worker welfare.
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