Congressmen: ‘Universal’ safety guarantees needed after Bangladesh building collapse

Washington – In the wake of a Bangladesh garment building collapse that killed more than 900 workers on April 24, two House members have called on the Obama administration to work with stakeholders to create an action plan that would address several safety issues in the garment industry.

In a May 1 letter (.pdf file) to President Barack Obama, Reps. Sander Levin (D-MI) and George Miller (D-CA) said the administration should lead an effort to bring together American and European retailers – who purchase two-thirds of Bangladeshi garment production – to adopt a response plan that includes a “universal standard guaranteeing basic workplace safety and fundamental worker rights.”