Sweeping off the Stigma of Made in Bangladesh

On 24 April 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh collapsed. More than 1,100 people died and another 2,500 were injured, making it the fourth largest industrial disaster in history.

That’s when Fashion Revolution was born

Fashion Revolution is a people(who work in the fashion industry)-powered movement working together in communities around the world to create positive and lasting change.

Fashion Revolution Bangladesh is a part of a larger consumer awareness campaign to promote better transparency and more ethical labor practices, with the specific mission to remove the stigma of “Made in Bangladesh” by highlighting the sustainability initiatives of progressive factories.

But how do we really remove this stigma?

The solutions include:

1. Investigating the relationship between the shortcomings in the local education system and those of the Ready-Made Garment sector, while developing training solutions to improve both, and spurring dialogue on these issues among the local and international communities that are involved.

2. Raise the sustainability and leadership skills of Ready-Made Garment mid-level management through more advanced training programs

3. To make on-site medical care and childcare facility complusory.

4. Promote local Bangaladeshi companies like Beximco, who have been developing and producing upcycled clothing, or clothing that is made entirely from the scrap of other garments (pre-consumer waste) to teach sustainability practices to other at large

5. Helping artisans not only get a fair wage but democratically manage and run their own businesses and also have total control over profits

6. Promote ideal work/life balance and greater gender equality