© Rijans
RANA PLAZA OR THOSE WHO PAY THE HIGH PRICE
7 years ago, on April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza collapsed. More than 3,100 workers behind the large textile industries saw the factory that housed them in the heart of Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapse on them. 1,127 deaths, 2,500 victims and two years of waiting, petitions and collective struggle so that the compensation funds for the victims of Rana Plaza, estimated at 30 million dollars, are finally brought together to be transferred to the latter .
Since 2016, NGOs and union members of the Citizen Forum for CSR have obtained the adoption of the “ Law on duty of vigilance for parent companies and ordering companies ” to the National Assembly in France. This law requires multinationals to prevent any non-respect of human rights and the environment within their activities, both on French territory and with their subcontracting partners abroad.
THE PANDEMIC, POOR WORKERS
Today, it is the covid-19 pandemic which once again threatens workers in outsourced factories. If the economic repercussions relating to the closure of stores in Paris, New York and Milan have been felt, the impact of the coronavirus on supply chains and their employees has gone much more unnoticed. Closed factories, canceled orders, unpaid labor, unguaranteed social protection: many workers in developing countries are strongly affected by this health crisis.
“If we don't have food in our stomach, what's the point of following the lockdown? We are more worried about hunger or paying our rent than the virus” Brishti, textile worker in Bangladesh.
On April 13, thousands of textile workers in Dhaka took to the streets to demonstrate, hindering the imposed confinement, worrying more about hunger than the virus. And for big bosses who have deserted, we wonder about common sense: saving companies at the expense of human lives? Is this really the plan? No, we oppose it!
“When this crisis is over, people will remember which brands responded to protect their workers and employees, and which ones were absent,” Dominique Muller of Labor Behind the Label , a British NGO defending the rights of textile workers.
FASHION REVOLUTION WEEK
© @fash_rev
Like every year since 2014, the Fashion Revolution collective is offering an awareness day to “encourage everyone to consume fashion differently, to question those who make it and to think about the harm caused to humans and to the environment throughout this complex process. 130 countries around the world have since taken part. Concerned by these same subjects, Meanwhile offers you too the opportunity to join the movement in 3 different forms.
#1 Ask brands and resellers about the impact of covid-19
Fashion Revolution has provided a pre-written letter, which can be found here , to ensure the conditions of workers in this time of crisis. All you have to do is select your favorite brand, sign and send!
#2 Share the love story of your wardrobe
The fashion industry represents the second most polluting industry in the world. This is why, cherishing your clothes and keeping them for a long time, in this “outdated - thrown away” society, is already a militant gesture. Share your love story with your inseparable T.shirt, your favorite jeans, that timeless jacket, using the hashtag #LovedClothesLast .
#3 Participate in an online event
This Friday, April 24 at 2 p.m., Fashion Revolution France & Nayla Ajaltouni, coordinator of the Ethics on Etiquette collective, are offering a conference on advances in international laws. Join the exchange on @fash_rev_france's Insta Live . Enough to make you knowledgeable on the subject!
Written by Whitney Agui
Member of Meanwhile Boutique, an eco-responsible eshop : it highlights eco-responsible practices and the actors of change through the entire collective of creators and brands committed to inspiring new modes of consumption.
