Tazreen fire

In November 2012, at least 112 workers died and hundreds were severely injured in a fire at Tazreen Fashions, a garment factory near Dhaka. Many of the workers jumped to their deaths trying to escape from the nine-storey building. Others were burned alive. Fire exits were either absent or closed. Tazreen produced garments for well-known brands including C&A, KIK, Walmart, Disney, Dickies and ENYCE.

"As we yet again mourn the loss of scores of garment workers in Bangladesh, we demand that brands step up their game. Tragedy after tragedy underlines our belief that simple, cosmetic changes to existing programmes simply aren't enough. Action needs to be taken to address the root causes of these fires”

Ineke Zeldenrust, Clean Clothes Campaign

In December, Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) visited Bangladesh to work with Bangladeshi unions and partner organisations, interview victims of the fire and meet with representatives of the Dutch embassy.

Following the development of a joint strategy with Bangladeshi and international trade unions and labour rights organisations, CCC organised street actions in various European countries, including Spain, Germany, Belgium, Austria and the Netherlands.

In this way CCC informed consumers and called on them to take action, launching an e-mail petition to urge companies to sign the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord, and pay adequate compensation to the victims and their relatives. CCC also reached out to governments, international organisations and the global media.

Download the Fatal Fashion report by SOMO and CCC on factory fires here