Labor Standards and the Rana Plaza Collapse

Global supply chains brought millions of jobs to developing countries, especially in garment-making, which employs many young women. Bangladesh became one of the world's largest clothing exporters, with garments making up the large majority of its exports. On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building near Dhaka, which housed several garment factories, collapsed, killing more than 1,100 workers; cracks had been seen the day before, but workers were reportedly ordered back.

The disaster, following a deadly factory fire at Tazreen in 2012, drew global attention to safety in factories supplying international brands. Within weeks, many mainly European brands and unions signed the legally binding Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, while North American companies formed a separate Alliance. Inspections led to thousands of repairs. Debates continue over who is responsible for conditions in supply chains: governments, factory owners, buyers or consumers, and whether pressure risks costing jobs.