	Background and Overview1

On April 24, 2013, Rana Plaza, an eight-story building, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, collapsed, killing more than 1,100 garment workers. It brought international focus on portions of the global supply chain. It also raised the issue of what might be done to improve working conditions, especially for lower-wage workers in developing countries around the world. Reportedly, management assured them that the building was safe, and told workers that they would not be paid if they did not work. It has been labeled the deadliest disaster in the history of the garment industry. A number of factors may have led to the recent building collapse. In many countries, apparel production is generally carried out in one- or two-story buildings because of the inherent fire hazards associated with this production. These principles are very similar to the U.S. list of internationally recognized worker rights. U.S. Trade Preference Programs12

One area of congressional focus in supporting internationally recognized worker rights has been through provisions in U.S. trade preference programs. Corporate codes of conduct are voluntary on the part of corporations. U.S. and International Responses to the Bangladesh Tragedy

Response to the Bangladesh tragedy has come from Congress, the Administration, the Bangladesh government, the ILO, and the private sector, and continues to evolve. On May 1, 2013, for example, Representatives Sander Levin, ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee, and George Miller, ranking Member of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, sent a letter to President Obama, urging the Administration to convene representatives of European and American retailers, the Bangladesh garment industry (including their workers and unions), the Bangladeshi government, the ILO, and nongovernmental organizations, to facilitate development of a "concrete action plan" to address the range of issues relating to working conditions and worker rights in the garment sector. Executive Branch

U.S. government interests in the Bangladesh tragedy relate to its oversight of trade and investment, its administration of trade agreements and trade preference programs, and a number of efforts to strengthen the capacity of Bangladesh to promote worker protections. On June 13, 2013, the Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) announced that a competitive grant of $2.5 million would be awarded to recipient(s) who would work to (1) strengthen the Bangladesh government's ability to improve and enforce fire and building safety standards; and (2) build the capacity of worker organizations to effectively monitor violations of such standards and abate hazards in the ready-made garment sector. A broader response from many corporations, particularly in Europe, has been to join forces to support change in Bangladesh. What are its current efforts in Bangladesh?
The April 24, 2013, collapse of an eight-story garment factory, called Rana Plaza, in Dhaka, Bangladesh, resulted in the deaths of more than 1,100 workers. It is reportedly now considered the deadliest accident in the history of the apparel industry. Congress has had a long-standing interest in supporting internationally recognized worker rights in developing countries, and the building collapse has raised concerns about worker conditions in Bangladesh.
Rana Plaza was allegedly structurally unsound and poorly maintained for apparel production. Apparel production is generally known as an industry under threat of fire, and one where workers need easy access to rapid escape routes. Issues relating to workers' inability to effectively exercise their rights to organize, bargain collectively, and work in a safe workplace may have contributed to the tragedy. For example, workers reportedly noticed cracks in the building and resisted entering, and were told that if they did not report to their jobs, they would not be paid. The factory collapse brought international focus to those parts of global supply chains that may not meet basic safety and health standards.
The U.S. government supports internationally recognized worker rights through various policies and programs. These include U.S. trade preference programs, free trade agreements, foreign assistance, and Department of Labor initiatives.
Congressional and U.S. efforts in this regard are part of an international worker rights support structure in place to offer technical assistance and support to countries—especially developing countries. Other major parts of this structure include international organizations, such as the International Labor Organization (ILO), founded in 1919; and corporate codes of conduct, which have arisen from a broader movement of corporate social responsibility that gained strength in the 1980s and 1990s.
Early analysis of the causes of the Bangladesh tragedy raises questions about what went wrong and about what can be done to help Bangladesh to improve working conditions at factories. Efforts to make changes in Bangladesh are already underway, and developments on this issue are evolving.
This report provides an overview of the recent tragedy in Bangladesh and the Bangladesh economic environment and culture. It also notes the responses to the tragedy, to date, from Congress, the Administration, the ILO, the Bangladesh government, and the private sector. Finally, it raises some possible issues for Congress.