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In the Balance: A Turning Point for Bangladesh?

A clothing worker at her sewing machine (AFP/Getty Images)

04/05/2013

A Turning Point for Bangladesh?

BBC World Service - In the Balance, A Turning Point for Bangladesh?

Who will bring about change in the garment industry in Bangladesh?

Who will bring about change in the garment industry in Bangladesh?  Jamie Robertson and guests discuss whether it'll be politicians, factory owners, retailers or consumers.

More than 400 workers died in Dhaka when the Rana Plaza factory building collapsed ten days ago. 262 others died in Karachi in Pakistan at the Ali Enterprises fire last year, and over 100 at another Bangladesh fire in the Tazreen factory. Jamie Robertson asks his guests who can bring this death toll to a halt - the factory owners, governments, workers, the retailers or the consumers themselves?  Jamie's joined fom Dhaka by Shahriar Alam, a member of the Bangladesh Parliament and the managing director of Renaissance Group of manufacturers; with Shahriar is Ifty Islam founder and managing partner of Asian Tiger Capital Partners; and in London is Peter McAllister Director of the Ethical Trading Initiative, which counts some of the big brands in the fashion industry amongst its members. Plus Colm O'Regan, the programme's regular commentator, reflects on the part played in the Rana Plaza disaster by western consumers' appetite for cheap clothes.

(Image: A clothing worker at her sewing machine, Credit: AFP/Getty Images)

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