EU pressures Bangladesh to improve labour standards

The European Union is considering trade action against Bangladesh, which has preferential access to EU markets for its garments, to pressure the country to improve safety standards after a building collapse killed more than 400 factory workers.

The death toll from the collapse last week of the illegally built Rana Plaza near Dhaka rose to 411 on the 1 May 2013, and about 40 unidentified victims were buried.

There were about 3,000 people inside the complex, which was built on a swamp, when it collapsed. About 2,500 people were rescued, many injured.

Duty-free access offered by Western countries and low wages have helped turn Bangladesh's garment exports into a €14.4 billion a year industry, with 60% of clothing going to Europe.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background Information: Memo: Joint Statement by HR/VP Catherine Ashton and EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht following the recent building collapse in Bangladesh http://www.europeansources.info/record/memo-joint-statement-by-hr-vp-catherine-ashton-and-eu-trade-commissioner-karel-de-gucht-following-the-recent-building-collapse-in-bangladesh/

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