By Iszabella Hazard
Garment factory work is essential to the global fashion industry but comes with risks that are often invisible to the consumer. While workers stitch the latest trends, they face unsafe conditions, exposure to harmful substances, and inadequate workplace protections. By looking at past tragedies and ongoing hazards, we can better understand why it is crucial to respect and protect garment workers.
Photos of the Rana Plaza Collapse (2013)
The Tazreen Fashion Factory Fire (2012, Bangladesh) was a previous case of workplace negligence involving a fire. The fire killed 117 workers and injured 200. The factory lacked emergency exits, and some doors were locked, trapping workers inside. Many jumped from windows in a desperate attempt to escape the flames​
The Rana Plaza Collapse (2013, Bangladesh) stands out as being one of the most infamous cases of workplace negligence. In April 2013, the deadliest disaster in garment industry history, claimed 1,134 lives and injured over 2,600 workers. Structural cracks were reported the day before, but factory owners pressured workers to return. The collapse revealed deep flaws in oversight, leading to global outcry.Â
The That’s It Sportswear Factory Fire (2013, Bangladesh) is another fire that resulted in 28 deaths and numerous injuries. Poor fire safety measures and locked exits left workers with no escape route. The factory supplied major brands, raising questions about their due diligence in monitoring subcontractor safety​
The Tangier Flooded Garment Factory Tragedy (2021, Morocco) resulted in the deaths of at least 28 workers who were trapped in an illegal underground factory during severe flooding. The facility, which operated as a subcontractor for international brands, lacked proper safety protocols and evacuation routes. This devastating incident brought attention to the unsafe working conditions and unregulated operations common in the garment industry.
A Pakistani Denim Factory Gas Leak (2022, Pakistan) resulted in the tragic deaths of four workers who were poisoned by inhaling toxic gas. The factory, which supplies clothing for major brands, became the focus of criticism from labor rights groups after the incident. The Clean Clothes Campaign reported the tragedy as part of a broader investigation into safety violations and hazardous conditions in garment factories across Pakistan.Â
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Photo of Rana Plaza survivor: KhaledaÂ
Yet, these disasters are only part of the story. Every day, garment workers face exposure to harmful chemicals, often without proper protective equipment, leading to respiratory illnesses, skin conditions, and even long-term health issues like cancer. The noise from machinery is constant, causing hearing loss over time, while poorly maintained workspaces can lead to slips, falls, and injuries. Cleanliness and proper maintenance, crucial to a safe working environment, are often ignored in favor of cutting costs.
Despite the grim realities, there is hope. Workers themselves have the power to drive change, as highlighted in Hesperian’s Workers' Guide to Health and Safety, which emphasizes that collective action and education can push for better conditions. However, this effort requires global support, particularly from brands and consumers. Companies that source from these factories must take responsibility, ensuring safe working environments and listening to the demands of laborers who have long been denied basic rights.
For consumers, it's a call to action. Respecting garment workers means more than just acknowledging their contributions—it means actively choosing ethical brands, advocating for accountability, and refusing to let tragedies like Rana Plaza be forgotten. The cost of fast fashion should never be measured in lives lost, and together, we can push for a system that values safety and dignity over speed and profit.Â
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References:
https://www.workersrights.org/
https://www.business-humanrights.org/
Cover photo is digital representation rendered through AI