Ever since the deadliest accident in garment industry recent history, which occurred in Bangladesh in April, large retailers around the world have forced the confront and tackle the issue of how to prevent future accidents. Two distinct plans have surfaced as the retail industry's answer to improving factory worker safety and working conditions. Just how different are they?
The collapse of Rana Plaza which to date killed over 1,100 people has finally prompted action by major retailers who rely on factories in Bangladesh to produce their garments. Many companies have agreed to endorse a safety accord, which will be binding on retailers to create, implement and finance fire safety and building improvements. The pact is gaining momentum in the U.S. and in Europe as fast fashion giants including H&M, Zara, Benetton, and Mango have already signed on.
Zara.com, the website I spend all my down time at work scrolling and obsessing through, has quietly launched a maternity collection online under the Women's section "Mum". It features skinny jeans with elastic waist and over-sized tops for a very relaxed but trendy and comfortable look. Not all of the pictures feature the baby bump and were probably just taken from other sections but are still very wearable for pregnant women. I have no doubt that these will be popular. My only hope is that Zara will continue to expand and add looks to the maternity section since there aren't many fashionable yet affordable clothing for pregnant women who still want to be stylish while sporting a baby bump. After all, we can't all afford dress like Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian!
Source: KABC Photo
The factory fire at Smart Export Garment Ltd. on January 26th is the second fire of this kind in two months in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The fire killed seven women workers and injuring many others, many of whom were only teenagers. The fire last November at Tazreen Fashion Ltd. killed 112 workers and was one of the worst in recent memory. Since November, Bangladesh has had 18 other non-fatal fires. Bangladesh is also the second-largest exporter of clothing after China.
Smart Export makes garments for Inditex SA, one of the world's largest fashion distributors and also the owner of Zara, as well as many other European brands. The owners of Smart Export, Zahir Ahmed, chairman and Mohammed Sharif Ahmed, managing director were arrested a few days ago over failure to comply with safety regulations. Fire officials said company did not have fire safety procedures or certification. Furthermore, the exit gate may have been locked causing a stampede and asphyxiation.
