Owner of Bangladesh factory ravaged in fire says he didn't know it needed emergency exits

  • Article by: JULHAS ALAM , Associated Press
  • Updated: November 29, 2012 - 4:37 AM
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kinnickNov. 28, 12 8:57 AM

Why is it that Wal-Mart almost always is at the forefront of human violations around the world and here??? Wake up America and bring this 'monster' to its knees.If you are a minority or poor you are the perfect Wal-Mart fit. You can and will get the same at Target or Costgo for the same prices! Remember what David did to the giant!

cavellNov. 28, 12 9:21 AM

The garment workers were living in pitiful shacks in the countryside before moving to the city and getting paid 10x what they earned before. They had apartments, electricity, running water, cell phones. The factory owner wants a safe, profitable business. Not a fire to loose everything.

brianstrNov. 28, 12 9:41 AM

Over a hundred years ago the Triangle Shirt factory in NYC burned leaving over 140 people dead leading to a surge in factory safety and oversight (i.e. regulation). Too bad all of that is so easily circumvented by American companies simply by outsourcing labor.

marathongirlNov. 28, 12 9:54 AM

I don't get why American companies are quickly linked to this. It wasn't their fault if workers were actually locked into the facility. If there were fire hydrants why weren't they used? It's ignorance that caused this it almost seems. And yes, it's tragic, but workers need to learn to fight for their rights and report problems, that's how it came about here, and that's how it will come about eventually there. Yes, we are appalled now, but they didn't think anything of if here 100 years ago.

beebee82Nov. 28, 1210:18 AM

marathongirl, it's easy to apply American ideals to foreign issues. It's much harder to implement in the real world. "Fighting for our rights" was heavily dependent upon our already secured right to free speech and freedom to assembly — something the Bangladeshi and others in these foreign nations do not enjoy. And yes, American companies that set up shop in these nations knowing full well they hold a laundry list of tragic incidents such as this are responsible for turning a blind eye to these deaths, injuries and illnesses caused by the manufacturing of their goods.

bosshogNov. 28, 1210:31 AM

marathongirl: because many American companies only care about profits and rewarding their investors. They were warned that the factory was hazardous but turned a blind eye. It is companies that continue to do business with unsafe workplaces as to why they still exist.

imichelleNov. 28, 1211:28 AM

When I read the words "cell phone" I knew that someone would take it down the wrong tangent, and Cavell did not disappoint. Without Ma Bell there wasn't the landline network, and when cell phone technology arrived it filled a gap and was quickly invested in mass numbers and in achievable price points. I am sure they do not pay the same rates that we do. Just because they had cell phones to light there way out of a burning building does not justify or explain why they were working/locked-up in a fire trap.

fooledmeonceNov. 28, 1211:59 AM

Target and Costco got their clothes from the same factory

BVMannNov. 28, 1212:50 PM

How's this making you shoppers that always insist on the cheapest price feel? Had enough yet? Or have you no conscience at all? BUY AMERICAN

elhammeNov. 28, 12 1:35 PM

This is going to happen again and again until the American public decides to pay 100%-150% more in order to have the items made in the U.S., under a living wage. With people spending billions on black friday "deals," I don't see that happening anytime soon. People don't care if a 10-year old in Thailand is making their Nike sneaker, they just want it as cheap as possible.


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