In Apri of 2013 the largest and deadliest accidents in the internatial apparel industry occured. Rana Plaza in Bangledesh. More than 1000 people died. Thousands more injured and now a year and a half later are still affected by the loss of income from family members who died, young daughters now having more pressure on them to work to feed their young siblings. Fear, trama and the chilling feeling that it won't be the last accident weigh heavy on their minds I am sure, as they head each morning to mass produce the latest deals in the fast fashion industry.
I apologize for the disturbing image, as I am sure many of you already saw it in the papers when news of the incident broke. I think we may need to be started into action though and images like this and documentaries such as Made in Bangledesh, the 2014 International Emmy award winner by the 5th Estate http://www.cbc.ca/fifth/episodes/2013-2014/made-in-bangladesh are necessary if any real change is to take place.
I was aware and appalled in 2013 when the incident took place and tried to keep up with the news of which companies were joining forces to sign the Accord to implement better, safer, more humane practices. Joe Fresh, being so closely responsible for the incident took the brunt of the heat and of course were quickest to join, but many retailers lagged. (To date, no other Canadian retailer has signed the accord, but some operations work out of other countries) The story affected me but after the initial shock, sadly I lost track of the issue and my shopping practices didn't alter a great deal.
After watching the above documentary though, which I beg you to take 45 minutes to see (even if broken up into chunks) I can't pretend not to know. I can't not see Aruti, the young teen, who lost a limb, lost her mother, is completely tramatized and now has to lead her little family. As a mother and a woman, I can't be successful if the other woman in the world suffer in order for my life to be simpler, cheaper and cuter. Rana Plaza is not an isolated incident. This is not just happening in Bangledesh.
Reading articles of where the state of things are at now and who joined the accord / donated money and who didn't, leaves me no better equipped to figure out how to solve this problem. For example, Joe Fresh had taken steps to improve, donated the most to the people suffering in Bangledesh, joined the accord but the model is stlll the same. Mass produced, cheap clothes that are meant to make me feel like I am winning as I am saving dollars and getting cute things in return. I truly would rather pay more and know without a doubt a building wasn't about to crumble on 1000 people, that someone could feed their family and work in humane conditions. I know you would as well.
Knowledge amd educating oneself on our choices is always a good first step, so I am asking you to join me in educating ourselves on where and how you buy. After watching the documentary last week, I have been to Joe Fresh looking for dress shoes for E. I couldn't help but look at the label to see where some of the items I picked up were from. I couldn't help but think of images similar to the one above, the people who worked to make these items. My mixed feelings of knowing these woman need this money and livelihood with the knowledge of the corporate greed that presents them with the option for that income left me unable to purchase something that day. We have to think about how our dollars spent, that power we have, can turn into action to bring about change within the fast fashon model.
*Note: I ended up buying the shoes at Children's Place, which I realize now has not joined the Accord and is lagging in donating money. Ugh! They are made in China, in who knows what type of conditions. Joe Fresh could have been the better option. I am sad that being the headline of a disaster is what has to push a company to rally behind change and being one of hundreds of companies involved, but not named, means you aren't as liable.
