Rana Plaza Collapse: Causes & Consequences

This assignment tasks students with analyzing the Rana Plaza factory building collapse in Bangladesh, a devastating event that claimed many lives and highlighted the dangers of unsafe working conditions in the garment industry. The analysis should delve into the various factors contributing to the collapse, including structural flaws, regulatory failures, and pressure on factories to meet production deadlines. Furthermore, students are expected to examine the consequences of the tragedy, such as the impact on workers, global retailers, and the development of international labor regulations aimed at preventing future disasters.

Running head: CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Contemporary society
Name of the Student:
Name of the University:
Author’s Note:

1
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Table of Contents
Answer to question 1:......................................................................................................................2
Reasons for the collapse of Rana Plaza:..........................................................................................2
Responsibilities of several parties to collapse:................................................................................3
Answer to question 2:......................................................................................................................5
Actions to be taken to reduce the collapse of such tragedy:............................................................5
Answer to question 3:......................................................................................................................8
Development of typology for corporate strategies:.........................................................................8
References list:...............................................................................................................................11
Answer to question 1:
Rana Plaza was an eight storey building that was owned by Sohel Rana that housed
several garments factories and was situated in twenty four kilometres outside Dhaka in Savar. It
was a garment factory that used to manufacturers products for supplying to clothing retailers and

2
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
foreign apparels. The collapse of this giant building resulted in death over eight hundred workers
and is regarded as deadliest building collapse in history (Fitch et al. 2015). Bangladesh is the
second largest producer of garments in the world and it is an attractive destination for
international brands because of lowest production cost associated with employment benefits,
wages and safety and health. The accident or collapse of Rana Plaza building was mainly
attributable to prevailing corruption in the construction industry (Murshed et al. 2016).
Reasons for the collapse of Rana Plaza:
Inadequate designs in the structure of building and multiple factors were responsible for
this inadequate design in building. This comprise of constructing building in illegal way,
managerial staffs ignorance of dangerous to workers at workplace and poor regulations of
inspection and codes. Owner of building approved construction process by bribing officials of
government and acquired illegal permits by using his political connections and aggressive
tenacity. Manager and owner of garment factory ignored warning signs of collapse depicted
through numerous cracks in building throughout its structure accompanied by expression of
cautions by local engineers. The collapse of rana Plaza building had brought changes in
procedures of inspection, Bangladesh building codes and factories safety standards. Enforcement
of regulation and factory conditions have been improved by three major initiatives as encouraged
by foreign governments, Bangladeshi’s public outrage, retail companies and world organizations
(ter Haar 2013). Such initiatives are intended to bring change in designing structure of buildings,
designing safer working conditions and enforcement of regulations. Moreover, there would also
be increased involvement from corporations who have the responsibility of contracting work to
factories. ‘

3
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
The cause of failure and collapse of Rana Plaza was determined by investigation
organized by Bangladeshi government. Such investigation was directed and organized at high
level of committee to ascertain the cause. Several contributing causes were discovered
throughout the investigation and it was since the moment of initiation of building construction.
Some of the causes are listed below:
 Usage of poor quality of construction materials in constructing such a giant factory
building
 Unsuitability of land for such multi story construction
 Prevalence of higher demand within the garment market
 Poor enforcement and regulations of building codes
 Placing of excessive loads on the building that did not align with the criteria of designs.
Therefore, from the above discussion, it can be inferred that a whole lot of people were
responsible for the collapse of Rana Plaza factory building. They involve government officials,
factory owners and corrupt government officials.
Responsibilities of several parties to collapse:
In Bangladesh, politics and corruption plays a major role in the construction of industry.
In order to convince government officials for receiving approval, owners of building are able to
exert influence by getting around law. It was indicated by many instances that depicted the fact
the rana Plaza building construction should be stopped. There exists significant level of
corruption throughout the construction industry in Bangladesh as indicated by statistical value. It
is the responsibility of government officials to disallow the construction of such buildings. It is
indicated by Bangladesh Building code that seeks application and receiving of occupancy

4
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
certificate from government organization. However, the existence of negligence and leniency in
the system has easily led to abusing of the system by owners. Owner of building and government
officials were equally responsible for the collapse of Rana Plaza building (Jason 2014).
It was also ascertained that higher and relentless demand by US and European and
growing fashion trend had squeezed suppliers of Asian market by sending their production
overseas. They supported for the poor conditions of labour, however, it cannot be regarded as the
considerable factor in building collapse. There was increased pressure from foreign and
European brand to complete orders for their buyers on time that has forced workers to work in
such disaster prone building that has led to death of many workers. Furthermore, foreign
government forced government of Bangladesh to amend labour laws that would make it easier
for workers to unionize and still there was lacking in meeting international standards and
improvement in protecting legal rights of workers. It can be easily witnesses that government did
not value the workforce that are factors for driving economy. Owners of factory did not fulfil
their obligations and responsibilities toward workers as they compel workers to work in an
unsafe premise (Gomes 2013). Despite after witnessing major cracks in building, workers were
compelled by factory owners to work in the rana Plaza building.
Therefore, the primary factors attributable to the collapse and disastrous effect of Rana
plaza are existing corruption in the system, negligence of government officials and ineptitude
that allowed owner to construct the building and existing and prevalence of corruption in the
construction industry. Secondary factors involve increasing pressure of demand by foreign retail
brand to grow with the changing fashion and meet the needs of customers (Kasperkevic 2016).

5
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Answer to question 2:
Actions to be taken to reduce the collapse of such tragedy:
The collapse of Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh has brought the attention of all
organizations of world toward the safety practices of workers at their workplace. In order to
avoid occurrence of tragedy similar to that of collapse of Rana Plaza building, it is required by
government of nation to take initiatives and enforcement of such initiatives so that it reduces the
possibility of such tragedy. Measures should be taken to improve the condition of construction
industry in Bangladesh. Government should be responsible for holding the factory managers who
were mainly accountable for denying the rights to union and workers (Boudreau et al. 2015).
Practices of human rights should be such that it assists in ending the targeting of labour
leaders and ensuring rights of workers by supervisors and owners of factory. There should be
formulation of joint strategy between Bangladesh and United nations, setting up an alliance for
the safety of Bangladesh workers and a settlement on building and fire safety. All these
initiatives should be designed in such as way that it encourages safety at work practices and
construction. It should increase the involvement and engagement of corporations to reach for
proper safety standards by up gradation of their pay to factory buildings. Factories managers
should hire additional inspectors to conduct regular inspection by empowering industry.
Bangladesh has developed an agreement that involves all countries form European Union. Under
this agreement, corporations are required to hire third party conducting inspection of factories
and protecting workers by guaranteeing their salary payment and granting them freedom to raise
any matter of concern without apprehension of firing them. Such alliance has been planned for
setting safety standards of workers and it involves all retailers and companies from US who has
their business activities in Australia.

6
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Factory managers are required to comply with the codes of conducts of many
international garment brands and retailers. This would require suppliers to respect the rights of
collective bargaining and freedom of association and complying with the established
international standards and code of conducts. Organizations and factory owners buying the
products from such factories are assisted with the responsibilities of prevention of violations of
human rights that are occurring in garment factories. Risks associated with human rights should
be identified by taking effective steps and accordingly mitigated and occurrence of any abuses
should be handled by taking remedial actions (Manik and Najar 2015).
In regard to the collapse of Rana Plaza, it is required by government and policy makers of
Bangladesh to bring some radical changes to labour laws involving easing and provisions of
union registration process. Measures should be taken to facilitate to registrations of new unions.
The primary responsibility of government is to protect the rights of workers and in this regard,
Bangladesh government has taken effort and measures to strengthen the “Directorate of
inspection concerning establishment of factories” as it has the responsibility of monitoring
compliance and safety at work place. The ability of ministry of ministry of employment and
labour should also be strengthen for prosecuting unfair practices in labour market and effectively
investigating into labour practices (Hoskins 2015). Some of unfair labour practices that should be
prosecuted involve intimidation, anti-union discrimination and any harassment cases and asking
inspectors to follow it strictly.
Retailers of respective countries and government should ensure that management and
owners of factory they are respecting and complying with rights of workers and person held
abusing labour rights should be accountable by government. The case of Rana Plaza reflects the
dangerous working conditions of workers that are mainly associated with the failure to respect

7
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
the rights of workers. Rights should be used on collective basis that would facilitate the
formation of union and this would help them in collective barging for their improved safety at
work place. Bangladesh government is primarily responsible for protecting the rights of labours
and workers working in construction industry (Lacroix, 2014).
It has been ascertained that despite the existence of company code of conducts by many
international retailers and brand of garments, violations and abuses of workers goes unnoticed
either on behalf of suppliers or inspectors monitoring factories. It is stated by United nations
guiding principles on Human rights and business that it is the responsibility of business to
prevent the adverse impacts of human rights that are directly associated with their services,
products, operations and business relationship, even if they are not the reason behind such
impacts (Hossain 2013).
Conventions of International labour organization have been ratified by Bangladesh on
collective bargaining and freedom of association. It is required by government of Bangladesh to
carry out impartial and effective investigations into allegations put forward by workers regarding
their mistreatment at workplace including threats, beating and abuses.
Foreign retailers from countries such as US, Canada and European Union that sourced
their products from factories in Bangladesh should that their supplier factories are complying
with the labour law of Bangladesh and code of countries of respective companies. They should
also take prompt actions in ensuring that inspection of factories is effective in achieving above
mentioned facts. Reviewing of audits and inspection done by retail of foreign companies should
be done for ensuring that they are efficiently investigating and detecting the practices of
employers that denies the right of freedom of workers and protection against anti union
discrimination along with actions of factory management. Clothing retailers and international

8
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
apparel from foreign companies should be held responsible to publicly and regularly disclose all
the factories based in Bangladesh from where they source their products (Siegle and Burke
2014). Moreover, they are also required to create an agreement to have transparency in their
supply chain process.
Out of all the above options and measures that should be taken to prevent occurrence of
such tragedy in future, some of the most effective measures would be on part of government of
Bangladesh and foreign apparels while doing business with nation’s suppliers to source their
products.
Answer to question 3:
The global supply chain faces many challenges pertaining to its complex system and
there can be reputational and legal risk if the supply chain process is not adhering to the
standards. It is required by business and is of utmost importance to them to monitor their supply
chain prices for labour abuse. Business should be able to detect the existence of labour abuse in
their supply chain for enabling laws to work (Backer 2015). There should be increased
regulations and disclosure of requirements pertaining to conditions of labour in factories or their
workplace.
Organizations are required to develop their own corporate strategies for preventing abuse
of workers in the complex supply chain system. Corporations should have set statement of labour
practices and human rights. They should protect the human rights of workers by forming an
effective statement of principles of labour practices throughout the supply chain of company.
Development of typology for corporate strategies:
Legislating for transparency:

9
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Corporations should try to formulate legislation that should ensure human practices
throughout their supply chains. Suppliers of organization should be screened depending of
numerous criteria and inspection should be made whether they comply with labour laws of
countries in which they are operating. It should be sought by corporations that their suppliers
comply with regulations of government along with their concerns for human ethics (Khan 2016).
Every organization should have their own established supplier’s code of conduct to which
suppliers must adhere to.
Setting accountability standards in supply chain:
Accountability standards should be made for the supplier code of conducts by companies.
In event of determination of suppliers engaging in any activities such as human trafficking or
abusing their workers by violating their rights would lead to termination of their relationship
with suppliers (North 2013).
Independent auditing to actual workers practice in supply chain:
Corporations should conduct announced and unannounced visits to supplier factories and
conduct periodic on site, observance of conditions and carrying out inspection of factories by
third party such as any designated associates and auditors. Compliance of suppliers with the
supplier code of conduct and quality management system of organization should be cross
checked by inspecting regularly (Sinkovics et al. 2016).
Risk assessment of supplier’s labour and recruitment practices:
It is essential that each partner in the supply chain should be subjected to thorough
evaluation in respect of hiring, recruiting and practices of labour concerning the use of forced

10
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
labour. This type of evaluation of risks should be a pre-condition for establishing of relationship
of suppliers with company.
Education and training to supply chain partners:
Training should be conducted to all employees who are involved in managing suppliers
concerning administration of supplier code of conducts of respective companies.
External monitoring of suppliers should be done and commitment should be demonstrate
by companies on four core conventions of International labour standards in their supply chain
process (North 2013). The four conventions of international labour standards that should be
demonstrated by company are:
 Discrimination- It deals with elimination or avoiding of discrimination in respect of
occupation and employment
 Forced labour- This particular convention deals with elimination or avoidance of
compulsory or forced labour at workplace and in supply chain process
 Child labour- It deals with elimination of practice of child labour at workplace
 Freedom of association- It supports effective recognition of rights relating to coactive
bargaining and supporting freedom of association
Setting clear consequences of non-compliance:
An organization should clearly state consequences to suppliers if they do not adhere to
legislation and if they are found to violate principals of company regarding workers human
rights.

11
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
References list:
Backer, L.C., 2015. Are Supply Chains Transnational Legal Orders?: What We Can Learn from
the Rana Plaza Factory Building Collapse.
Boudreau, L., Makioka, R. and Tanaka, M., 2015. The Impact of the Rana Plaza Collapse on
Global Retailers. URL: https://goo. gl/b7CRTH.
Fitch, T., Villanueva, G., Quadir, M. and Alamgir, H., 2015. Prevalence and risk factors for
PTSD in injured workers in Bangladesh: a study of surviving workers from the Rana Plaza
building collapse. The Lancet Global Health, 3, p.S33.
Gomes, W., 2013. Reason and responsibility: the Rana Plaza collapse. Retrieved March, 7,
p.2016.
Hoskins, T., 2015. Reliving the Rana Plaza factory collapse: a history of cities in 50 buildings,
day 22. The Guardian. http://www. theguardian. com/cities/2015/apr/23/rana-plazafactory-
collapse-history-cities-50-buildings. Accessed, 23, p.2016.
Hossain, E., 2013. Rana Plaza Collapse Victims Still Waiting for Compensation. Huffington
Post, 8.
Jason, M., 2014. A year after Rana Plaza: What hasn't changed since the Bangladesh factory
collapse. Washington Post.
Kasperkevic, J., 2016. Rana plaza collapse: workplace dangers persist three years later, reports
find. Accessed May, 5, p.2017.

12
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY
Khan, M.O.B.H., 2016. Economic Impact of Rana Plaza Collapse. World Academy of Science,
Engineering and Technology, International Journal of Social, Behavioral, Educational,
Economic, Business and Industrial Engineering, 10(2), pp.594-600.
Lacroix, S.V.D., 2014. The Use of Social Media in Crisis Communication: The Case of the Rana
Plaza Collapse in Bangladesh (Doctoral dissertation).
Manik, J.A. and Najar, N., 2015. Bangladesh police charge 41 with murder over Rana Plaza
collapse. The New York Times.
Murshed, H., Islam, A. and Sarder, A.H., 2016. Mass Casualty in A Building Collapse:
Techniques of Anaesthesia in Mass Casualty Management (Rana Plaza Collapse at Savar,
Bangladesh). Journal of the Bangladesh Society of Anaesthesiologists, 27(1), pp.12-16.
North, A., 2013. Dhaka Rana Plaza collapse: Pressure tells on retailers and government. BBC
News.
Parveen, S., 2014. Rana Plaza factory collapse survivors struggle one year on. BBC.
Siegle, L. and Burke, J., 2014. We Are What We Wear: Unravelling fast fashion and the collapse
of Rana Plaza, Guardian shorts
Sinkovics, N., Hoque, S.F. and Sinkovics, R.R., 2016. Rana Plaza collapse aftermath: are CSR
compliance and auditing pressures effective?. Accounting, Auditing & Accountability Journal,
29(4), pp.617-649.
ter Haar, B., 2013. The collapse of Rana Plaza and the limits, options and challenges of
transnational labour regulation. Alibi Online-Publishing, Nov, pp.28-33.

13
CONTEMPORARY SOCIETY