(via @RTENews/Twitter)
Loblaw Companies Ltd. announced that it will provide compensation for the families of those killed after a building its products were manufactured in in Bangladesh collapsed. Here’s what you need to know.
1) Compensation
We want to share that we will be providing compensation for the families of the victims who worked for our supplier: facebook.com/joefresh/posts…
— Joe Fresh (@JoeFresh) April 29, 2013
An exact figure was not specified, but Loblaw says it is working to support local efforts in Bangladesh and provide support.
“We are working to ensure that we will deliver support in the best and most meaningful way possible, and with the goal of ensuring that victims and their families receive benefits now and in the future,” spokeswoman Julija Hunter told the Toronto Star. “We are working on the details and we will update you as soon as we can.
“Our priorities are helping the victims and their families, and driving change to help prevent similar incidents in the future. Our heartfelt condolences continue to go out to those in Savar, Bangladesh.”
U.K. retailer Primark also announced that it would be providing compensation to victims’ families.
2) Collapse
The Rana Plaza building was an eight-storey building in Savar, Bangladesh. It collapsed on April 24, killing a confirmed 382, with the death toll expected to rise. About 2,500 people survived the building collapse.
“Suddenly, the floor I was working on wasn’t there,” one survivor recounted.
3) Prior Warning
If you’re thinking about shopping at Loblaws,Atlantic or Real Canadian Super Store//Joe Fresh, remember this picture twitter.com/RayMcLennan1/s…
— Ray McLennan (@RayMcLennan1) April 28, 2013
Police had ordered an evacuation of the factory the day before the collapse, but the factories ingnored the order. Large cracks were reportedly visible in the structure of the building, but the building’s owner assured tenants it was safe.
4) Owner Arrested
Bangladesh building collapse death toll approaches 1,300 soa.li/C7ZMnQP Photo: Reuters twitter.com/TelegraphNews/…
— Daily Telegraph News (@TelegraphNews) April 29, 2013
The owner of the building, Mohammed Sohel Rana, was arrested on Sunday night at a border crossing with India. Rana will face charges of negligence.
5) Joe Fresh Label
Joe Fresh shirt in the rubble of a Bangladesh factory. At 640, @nishapatel on the real cost of $8 t-shirts. twitter.com/metromorning/s…
— Metro Morning (@metromorning) April 25, 2013
Prodcuts for the company’s popular Joe Fresh label were being made in the illegally-constructed building before the collapse. People are criticizing the company for not ensuring safe working conditions for the garment workers.
“We are committed to finding an approach that ensures safe working conditions, drives lasting change in the industry and help prevents other tragedies,” Hunter said in a statement.