NCL statement on tragic Bangladeshi factory fire – National Consumers League
November 28, 2012
Contact: Carol McKay, NCL Communications, carolm@nclnet.org , (412) 945-3242
Washington, DC–The National Consumers League (NCL) today expresses sincere condolences to the families of the more than 100 workers killed in a factory fire in Bangladesh. “We see a consistent pattern of indefensible and preventable loss of life in Bangladesh factories. In the past six years, over 600 workers have been killed in these deadly fires,” said Sally Greenberg, Executive Director of the National Consumers League.
NCL noted that the Banglideshi factory fires that keep killing workers are reminicient of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in the United States in 1911. That fire in New York City killed 146 mostly immigrant workers and galvanized workers and government to make workplaces far safer, put in place fire codes, sprinklers, strict fire codes related to smoking and open flames inside the factory, and keeping the factory free of flammable piles of fabric.
“United States companies that buy from firms that run these factories must insist on strict fire codes, training of workers and owners, or stop doing business with them immediately. American and Western companies can do a great deal to improve the conditions of these workers and keep them safe from hazardous working conditions. NCL intends to inform American consumers which companies are doing their part to improve safety standards and acting to protect the vulnerable workers in these factories,” said Greenberg.
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About the National Consumers League
The National Consumers League, founded in 1899, is America’s pioneer consumer organization. Our mission is to protect and promote social and economic justice for consumers and workers in the United States and abroad. For more information, visit www.nclnet.org.
