The Rana Plaza building, a commercial structure located in Savar, Bangladesh, gained notoriety for its tragic collapse in 2013. The building, constructed in 2006, had a complex history and housed various entities within its premises.
Key Facts
- Building Ownership: The Rana Plaza building was owned by Sohel Rana, who was allegedly a member of the local unit of Jubo League, the youth wing of Bangladesh Awami League, the political party in power.
- Construction Year: The building was constructed in 2006.
- Occupants: Rana Plaza housed a number of separate garment factories employing around 5,000 people, several shops, and a bank.
- Collapse and Aftermath: The collapse of Rana Plaza in 2013 led to the creation of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which was signed by over 200 companies. The Rana Plaza Arrangement was also established to coordinate compensation for the affected families.
- Brands Involved: Several global brands had recent or current orders with at least one of the five garment factories in the Rana Plaza building. Some of these brands included Benetton, Bonmarche, Cato Fashions, The Children’s Place, El Corte Ingles, Joe Fresh, Kik, Mango, Matalan, Primark, and Texman.
Building Ownership and Construction
Sohel Rana, an individual allegedly associated with the Jubo League, the youth wing of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League, owned the Rana Plaza building (Wikipedia, 2023). The building’s construction was completed in 2006, and it consisted of eight stories, with the ground floor serving as a commercial space for shops and a bank, while the upper floors housed several garment factories employing approximately 5,000 workers (Wikipedia, 2023; Clean Clothes Campaign, n.d.).
Collapse and Aftermath
On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building experienced a catastrophic collapse, resulting in the deaths of over 1,100 individuals and leaving thousands injured (Wikipedia, 2023). This tragic event brought international attention to the precarious working conditions and safety hazards prevalent in the garment industry, particularly in Bangladesh.
In response to the disaster, the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh was established in May 2013, gaining the support of over 200 companies (Clean Clothes Campaign, n.d.). Additionally, the Rana Plaza Arrangement was created to facilitate compensation for the families affected by the collapse (Clean Clothes Campaign, n.d.).
Brands Involved
Investigations revealed that numerous global brands had recent or ongoing orders with at least one of the five garment factories operating within the Rana Plaza building (Clean Clothes Campaign, n.d.). Some of these brands included Benetton, Bonmarche, Cato Fashions, The Children’s Place, El Corte Ingles, Joe Fresh, Kik, Mango, Matalan, Primark, and Texman (Clean Clothes Campaign, n.d.).
Conclusion
The Rana Plaza building, with its complex ownership structure and diverse occupants, became a symbol of the urgent need for improved safety standards and workers’ rights in the garment industry. The collapse of the building in 2013 led to significant efforts to enhance workplace safety and compensation for victims, highlighting the importance of collective responsibility and ethical practices in global supply chains.
References
- Clean Clothes Campaign. (n.d.). Rana Plaza. Retrieved from https://cleanclothes.org/campaigns/past/rana-plaza
- International Labour Organization. (2023, April). The Rana Plaza disaster ten years on: What has changed? Retrieved from https://www.ilo.org/infostories/en-GB/Stories/Country-Focus/rana-plaza
- Wikipedia. (2023, January 1). Rana Plaza collapse. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Plaza_collapse
FAQs
How many floors did the Rana Plaza building have?
The Rana Plaza building had eight stories, with the ground floor serving as a commercial space for shops and a bank, while the upper floors housed several garment factories.
Who owned the Rana Plaza building?
Sohel Rana, an individual allegedly associated with the Jubo League, the youth wing of the ruling Bangladesh Awami League, owned the Rana Plaza building.
When was the Rana Plaza building constructed?
The Rana Plaza building was constructed in 2006.
How many people were employed in the Rana Plaza building?
Approximately 5,000 workers were employed in the various garment factories housed within the Rana Plaza building.
What was the cause of the Rana Plaza building collapse?
The exact cause of the Rana Plaza building collapse is still under investigation, but it is believed to be related to structural flaws and the addition of unauthorized floors during construction.
How many people died in the Rana Plaza building collapse?
Over 1,100 individuals lost their lives in the Rana Plaza building collapse, making it one of the deadliest structural failures in modern history.
What was the aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse?
The Rana Plaza building collapse led to widespread outrage and calls for improved safety standards and workers’ rights in the garment industry. It also resulted in the creation of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and the Rana Plaza Arrangement to provide compensation for the victims and their families.
What brands were involved in the Rana Plaza building collapse?
Several global brands had recent or ongoing orders with at least one of the five garment factories operating within the Rana Plaza building. Some of these brands included Benetton, Bonmarche, Cato Fashions, The Children’s Place, El Corte Ingles, Joe Fresh, Kik, Mango, Matalan, Primark, and Texman.