Poplar and Limehouse MP calls for action from global clothing brands, 12 years after the Rana Plaza disaster

Apsana Begum, MP for Poplar and Limehouse, said:

“On International Workers Memorial Day, I honour all those who lost their lives simply as a result of the work they do and I pay tribute to the bravery of trade unionists around the world, organising and winning, in difficult circumstances.”

“This important day follows the 12th anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh on 24th April 2013 which killed at least 1,132 workers and injured more than 2,500 – one of the worst industrial accidents on record.”

“I call on global clothing brands to uphold commitments to conduct enhanced human rights due diligence with workers and their representatives and implement responsible and ethical purchasing practices, without any further delay.”

“Because whether in the UK or Bangladesh or anywhere else in the world, all workers have the right to a living wage, decent working conditions and trade union rights, and this includes the right to refuse unsafe work.”