Statement by Tom Mulcair on the first anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy in Bangladesh

Official Opposition leader Tom Mulcair made the following statement on the anniversary of the collapsed building in Rana Plaza, Bangladesh:

“A year ago today, a garment factory in Rana Plaza collapsed, leaving over 1100 workers dead – including children – and more than 2000 injured. This tragedy shed a little bit of light on the real cost of producing clothes worn by millions of people around the world.

A year later, the compensation fund for workers is a long way from the $40 million promised to victims’ families and Loblaws remains the only Canadian company to have acted quickly to change its business practices and ensure suppliers provide a safe work environment to their employees.

For years the NDP has been demanding the federal government ensure rules are in place to force Canadian companies to act transparently and follow strict social responsibility protocol. This would not only help protect workers in the worldwide textile industry, but also people working in other sectors, like mining.

On this somber anniversary, New Democrats remember these fallen workers and commit to honour their memory by continuing our efforts to improve health and safety standards in Canada and around the world. Working together, we can make sure this tragedy is never repeated.”