Can Western Companies Put an End to Bangladesh Factory Disasters?

Responsible corporations prioritize workplace safety. Building-structure codes, fire and smoke alarms, multiple exits, limited work hours and other standard safety regulations are documented to prevent accidents. Consumers may appreciate low prices, but will avoid brands that become associated with brutal workplace conditions. A factory fire in November and a building collapse in April have put Bangladesh under the spotlight. The internet highlights the horrific details of disaster and victims’ stories, but face-to-face interactions still carry impact. The Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity is sponsoring a US tour for a victim of the November factory fire who managed to escape. Organizers for workers’ rights argue that corporations have neglected to demand better conditions from trade partners in developing nations and now take their case directly to consumers in the United States and Europe. Companies will find it increasingly difficult to escape accountability through outsourcing, contracting and invisible supply chains. – YaleGlobal