April 24, 2014, Global Day of Action

International Labor Rights Forum has announced the observance of April 24, 2014, as a Global Day of Action to raise awareness about hazards in the Bangladesh garment industry and to help victims of the tragic Rana Plaza collapse.

April 24 is the one-year anniversary of the collapse, which killed at least 1,138 individuals and injured countless others. To date, many victims still await compensation, as do the families of those who died in the incident.

While the collapse drew worldwide attention to the hazardous factory conditions found in Bangladesh, workers in the country’s garment industry still face the threat of another disaster. “This is an industry that has been premised on low wages, long hours and exploitive working conditions,” says Liana Foxvog, the director of organizing and communications for International Labor Rights Forum. She notes that many global brands and retailers have recently sent strong messages regarding worker safety and that more than 150 companies have taken action by signing the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.

“But to really change that industry, factories need not only to hear from brands that safety is important, they also need to be paid enough to cover wages, operating costs and safe building practices,” Foxvog says.

International Labor Rights Forum encourages everyone to take time April 24, 2014, to help urge retailers to compensate victims of the collapse and other recent incidents in the Bangladesh garment industry. The organization’s website provides links to relevant petitions, as well as information on how to organize nonviolent demonstrations outside stores and otherwise raise awareness about the aftermath of the Rana Plaza disaster.

An upcoming article in the May 2014 issue of Professional Safety will provide more information on this subject, including steps safety professionals can take to help improve workplace conditions in the Bangladesh garment industry.

Still Waiting: Bangladeshi workers seek compensation

Models: Eveline at Supa Model Management, left, and Portia at Storm
Shirt: Arthur and Henry, left. Corset: Katharine Hamnett
Pullover: From Somewhere, left. Jacket: Katharine Hamnett
Trousers: People Tree Sunglasses: General eyewear, left. Jeans: Komodo Bag: MAITRI
Stylist: Stevie Westgarth
Make-up: Jo Frost
Hair: Eliot Bsilla
Photograph by: Keiron O’Connor , Fashion Revolution Day

TORONTO – Canada.com — A new worldwide campaign seeking to highlight how and where clothes are produced will coincide with the anniversary of the fatal factory collapse in Bangladesh.

“Who Made Your Clothes?” will be the theme for Fashion Revolution Day, which will take place on April 24.

The inaugural event coincides with the one-year anniversary of the world’s worst garment industry accident. More than 1,100 people died at the illegally constructed eight-storey Rana Plaza where a number of clothing makers were housed.

Consumers will be asked to wear their clothes inside out to demonstrate support for better connections and transparency across the fashion supply chain.

Fashion Revolution Day participants are also being asked to locate the label on their garment to find out where their clothes are made, and to contact the brand via social media on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #INSIDEOUT. They are also being encouraged to email videos to the brands to inquire where clothes are produced and to also take photos where possible to post on social media.

The Canadian campaign is being spearheaded by Fashion Takes Action, a homegrown non-profit focused on sustainability within the fashion industry.