Podcast Rana Plaza
Where there’s no will, is there a law?
On 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza garment factory collapsed. 1,134 people died and more than 2,500 people were injured. There was an immediate outcry that a disaster like this must never happen again. What has changed since then? And how do we make sure that we can prevent such a disaster in the future?
Photo: Catrien Ariens
These questions are central to the podcast ‘10 years after Rana Plaza: where there isn’t a will, is there a law? which Mondiaal FNV made specially for this day. With guests: Lara Wolters (PvdA), Stieneke van der Graaf (ChristenUnie), Tuur Elzinga (Mondiaal FNV), Alexander Kohnstamm (Fair Wear Foundation), Tamar Hoek (Solidaridad).
Listen to the podcast (in Dutch)
Initiatives since Rana Plaza
Since 2011, companies’ duty of care for man and the environment has been a subject of discussion. Following the collapse of Rana Plaza, covenants were initiated in the Netherlands under which companies, civil-society organisations and trade unions agreed to work together on this issue: these were the covenants on international corporate social responsibility (ICSR). “While the covenant for garments and textile was helpful, legislation is what is needed. This will ensure a level playing field between the companies that do engage in responsible business conduct and those that are lagging behind”, says Tuur Elzinga, President of Mondiaal FNV.
In addition to the covenants, a Safety Accord specifically for Bangladesh was created. Under this accord, garment companies reached agreements with the trade union and their suppliers on the safety of their factories. "Companies committed themselves to specific agreements, which they are obliged to comply with. Their legally binding nature is what proved to be the Safety Accord’s success.” says Alexander Kohnstamm of Fair Wear Foundation. Companies do, however, have the freedom to choose whether or not to sign the accord, thereby limiting its impact, which is why comprehensive ICSR legislation is needed.
ICSR legislation
To achieve large-scale improvements in the garment industry, legislation is what is needed. Legislation sets the bar higher for all companies and creates a level playing field between the companies that are already taking steps via the above-mentioned initiatives and those that are lagging behind. Lara Wolters, a Member of the European Parliament for the Dutch Labour Party, took the initiative for this in Brussels and Stieneke van der Graaf, ChristenUnie (Christian Union) submitted an initiative bill to the Second Chamber of the Dutch Parliament. “The political processes complement each other extremely well”, they both concluded. They explain their approach in the podcast.
When will legislation for the garment industry finally be in place?
On 21 March 2023, Bangladesh trade union leader Nazma Akther, together with colleague Ruben Korevaar, published an article in the Dutch newspaper Nederlands Dagblad on the visit to Bangladesh by the Dutch Second Chamber. The appeal at the time was unequivocal: "ensure that there is legislation for corporate social responsibility on an international scale." Lees het opniestuk