Yesterday marked 10 years since the deadliest garment factory disaster in world history. The eight-storey factory building which collapsed due to a series of glaring structural flaws claimed more than 1,100 people, mostly women. Over 2,500 others were injured. The gruesome industrial disaster had brought the issue of workplace safety to the limelight across the globe and there was a growing clamour among international buyers to boycott Bangladeshi products, accusing the country for poor workplace safety.

But ten years down the line, the country’s RMG industry stands tall and strong. Export earnings from this sector have more than trebled – from approximately USD 15 billion in 2013 to USD 44 billion in 2022. The RMG industry encompassing thousands of factories, millions of workers and billions of dollars in investment, has undergone a transformational change. The factories have invested tens of thousands of dollars to ensure structural integrity, workplace safety, improve labour standards and implement social compliance issues. As a result, Bangladesh RMG sector is now considered a global role model in sustainable and ethical manufacturing.

Apparel manufacturers are not the only party to the global supply chain. Buyers, brands and retailers are also important links in the chain, and all parties should play their due roles in maintaining social, labour, and environmental standards in the supply chain. Apart from forcing suppliers to maintain due diligence in the manufacturing process, buyers must also pay fair price for garment products so that the workers can lead a dissent life.