Walmart, 19 others refuse to compensate Bangladesh disaster victims

The Rana Plaza building collapse

Almost a year ago, 1,100 clothing factory workers were killed when their building collapsed in Rana Plaza in Bangladesh.

It was one of the worst industrial accidents in history.

Our friends at LabourStart reminds us the catastrophe was followed up by a groundbreaking agreement signed by international unions, Bangladesh unions, employers, major clothing brands, the International Labor Organization and the Bangladeshi government. LabourStart tells us Walmart and 19 other companies have not made public donations to a fund that compensates the injured and the families of the workers killed.

Part of the purpose of the fund is to make sure such a tragedy never happens again. Writes LabourStart:

As the Clean Clothes Campaign put it, "The survivors and victims families have suffered enough and should not have to relive that horrible day without being secure that their financial losses at least are covered. They suffered terrible injuries, lost husbands and wives, children and parents, brothers and sisters; and will bear the physical and emotional scars for life. This can never be compensated for, but they can and should be compensated for loss of income and medical costs before the anniversary."

In addition to Walmart, these companies have not contributed to the fund: 

Adler Modemrkte, Auchan, Ascena Retail, Benetton, C&A, Carrefour, Cato Fashions, Children's Place, Grabalok, Gueldenpfennig, Kids for Fashion, KiK, LPP, Manifattura Corona, Matalan, NKD, Premier Clothing, Primark, PWT, Walmart and Yes Zee.

LabourStart is hosting an online campaign with IndustriALL, UNI Global Union and the Clean Clothes Campaign to pressure those companies to pay compensation now.

Please sign up and send your message. And please spread the word about this very important campaign.