Bangladeshi trade unions and international organisations Bangladeshi trade unions and international organizations call on all brands sourcing from the devastated Tazreen Fashions factory, which burnt down 24 November 2012 killing at least 112 workers, to ensure compensation, emergency relief and medical treatment to all those affected by the fire. The brands are also urged, along with other key brands and stakeholders, for an immediate and transparent investigation into the events surrounding the fire and to take steps to prevent future tragedies in the industry.
The Clean Clothes Campaign and Bangladeshi trade unions calculate that at least 3 million Euro compensation should be paid to the families of the deceased for damages and loss of earnings. In addition, brands are expected to provide compensation for injured workers, cover costs of emergency relief and medical treatment and compensate loss of earnings suffered by workers recovering and those left unemployed as a result of the disaster. The full compensation package should cover educational fees for the children of the deceased. Immediate remuneration is vital, as a majority of workers still awaits compensation and is building debts due to medical costs and the loss of their jobs.
“The final compensation should be at least double 3 million Euros when the full impact on injured and unemployed workers is known, and the real loss of families of workers that died is taken into account. The figure is a drop in the ocean for global brands, but means survival for Bangladesh garment workers who can earn as little as 30 Euros per month,” says Tessel Pauli from the Clean Clothes Campaign. “Brands must also take long term preventative steps to prevent future fires. No more workers should burn to death making our clothes.”
All brands sourcing from the factory, the Bangladeshi government, Tazreen’s owner and the Bangladeshi Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association are expected to contribute to the fund.
Tazreen produced for a host of well known brand names, including C&A, KIK, Walmart, Li & Fung, Edinburgh Woollen Mill, Disney, Dickies, Sean Comb (ENYCE) and Kmart/Sears.
To prevent future tragedies, campaigners call on brands to sign on to the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, developed by Bangladeshi and global unions and labour rights organisations. Last week, the European Parliament adopted a resolution calling on all relevant brands to support the agreement. Amongst other actions, the Agreement provides for independent inspections of supplier factories, public reporting, mandatory repairs and renovations, a central role for workers and unions in both oversight and implementation, supplier contracts with sufficient financing and adequate pricing, and a binding contract to make these commitments enforceable.
Companies PvH (Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein) and Tchibo have already signed the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, which becomes effective once four companies sign up. Allowing trade unions to freely operate in workplaces will also play an important role in fire prevention by giving workers a voice in their workplaces.
The Clean Clothes Campaign urges buyers from Tazreen Fashions who have not yet admitted to sourcing from the factory to step forward and take full responsibility.
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Find the European Parliament resolution of 17 January 2013 on recent casualties in textile factory fires, notably in Bangladesh (art. 3 and art. 6) here
The full demands being made of brands sourcing from Tazreen Fashions are:
1- Full redress for the victims
– emergency relief for all victims and their families, including medical treatment
– coverage of all medical costs and psychological care in the short and long term
– full and fair compensation covering loss of future earnings as well as damages for the injured and families of the dead, based on the compensation formula proposed by the unions and labour rights groups supporting the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement
– ensure wages continue to be paid for all workers (meeting legal entitlements at minimum) and that all workers are rehired at Tazreen Fashions, or in the event that it does not reopen, that workers are paid legal severance and offered priority hiring in nearby suppliers at equivalent or higher salary levels
– work with the government to set up a permanent workers’ welfare fund to cover compensation for industrial incidents
– and workplace injuries.
2- Full and transparent investigation
– acknowledge responsibility and support an independent investigation into the fires and prosecution for those culpable
– publish all audit reports relating to Tazreen Fashions
3- Prevention of future incidents
– sign and immediately implement the comprehensive and independent Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement that has been developed by local and global unions and labour rights organizations. The program includes independent inspections, public reporting, mandatory repairs and renovations, a central role for workers and unions in both oversight and implementation, supplier contracts with sufficient financing and adequate pricing, and a binding contract to make these commitments enforceable.
– publicly disclose full supplier list
– actively promote freedom of association and bargaining rights for workers through access agreements to create an atmosphere
– where workers can freely join trade unions and form factory level unions
Brands sourcing from the Tazreen Fashions factory should send a delegation to Bangladesh to meet victims and their families, trade unions and labour rights organizations and work with other buyers to ensure these demands are met.
– Find the CCC petition here
– Read interviews with three workers here
