Another deadly garment factory accident has left more than 500 people dead in Bangladesh. Many of these workers were poorly paid and forced to continue producing clothes, even after police demanded an evacuation of the unstable building, according to the Toronto Star.
More than 700 garment workers have died in recent years in Bangladesh alone.
Workers who died in the most recent tragedy were sewing popular Joe Fresh clothing, which is produced under Loblaws, Inc. Loblaws insists that they employ standards ensuring that their products are produced in a socially responsible manner, and that audits are conducted to ensure this, but the recent factory collapse suggests otherwise.
Loblaws must work to guarantee that workers are protected and compensated fairly. More rigorous audits and guidelines must be in place to protect vulnerable workers around the world. Loblaws has the opportunity to lead the industry in this respect.
Demand that Loblaws take the lead in establishing and maintaining ethical production standards, no matter how far down the supply chain they must go.
