A
fire at a Bangladesh clothing company, with links to Western clothing brands,
killed 10 people including the general manger, Rashiduzzman Mandal. This incident happened only six months after a
factory building collapsed that killed 1,100 people which has lead authorities
and global clothing companies to pledge on improving safety standards. Through
undercover investigation, CBS found that many factory workers are working under
the legal age of employment, in poorly ventilated work areas where toxic
chemicals are being used, and are often not provided with safety equipment. When
the fire had started, there were currently 170 workers inside the factory and
most were able to escape the flames. The cause of the fire is still unknown but
is being under investigation by the government.
Families of victims affected by the
incident are being left to deal with the loss of their loved ones while also
trying to figure out how to manage without the income they received through the
factory. This incident and others like it are due to globalization, factory
owners do not take the precautionary measures to ensure their workers are safe
because they do not want to lose any money or profits. They also exploit their
workers by having them work in horrible conditions at very low wages. The lack
of employment opportunities leave people with no other choice but to work under
these conditions in factories. Although it is unfair to the workers and their
families, this is the only way for the factory to be competitive with other
factories who are also exploiting their workers. We, Americans, allow for this
injustice to occur because we buy a huge portion of the clothes from the
factories that exploit their workers. Unless strict laws are made for to
protect factory workers from other countries, this will unfortunately continue
to occur.
Karina Velazquez
10/11/13
2:35 pm
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