On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Bangladesh became one of the deadliest industrial disasters in history. More than 1,100 garment workers were killed and over 2,500 were injured when the building, which housed factories producing clothing for global brands, crumbled due to unsafe conditions.
This tragedy was a wake-up call for the fashion industry, exposing the exploitative working conditions, poor wages, and lack of safety regulations that many garment workers—especially in fast fashion supply chains—face every day.
At Printed By Us, we believe in doing things differently. The Rana Plaza disaster should never be forgotten, and it’s a reminder of why we only work with Fair Wear-approved suppliers, pay a Real Living Wage, and commit to ethical, sustainable fashion.
What Happened at Rana Plaza?
In the days leading up to the collapse, cracks appeared in the building, but factory owners ordered workers to continue working. The weight of the machinery, overcrowding, and poor construction led to the building collapsing in minutes, trapping thousands under the rubble.
The majority of victims were young women, many of whom had little choice but to work in unsafe conditions due to extreme poverty and lack of labor protections.
The True Cost of Fast Fashion
Rana Plaza wasn’t just an accident—it was a symptom of a broken fashion industry that prioritizes profits over people.
🛍️ The Problem with Fast Fashion:
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Low Wages: Garment workers in Bangladesh earn as little as £2 a day, far below a living wage.
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Unsafe Conditions: Many factories lack proper safety measures, leading to fires, collapses, and other fatal accidents.
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Lack of Accountability: Brands outsource production to third-party factories, making it easier to deny responsibility for unethical practices.
Despite global outrage after the collapse, many brands still rely on exploitative labor to produce cheap, disposable clothing. This is why we need to push for real change in the fashion industry.
How We’re Doing Things Differently at Printed By Us
At Printed By Us, we refuse to contribute to a system that puts profit before people. That’s why we are committed to:
✅ Fair Wear-Approved Garments – Every piece of clothing we print on comes from suppliers that meet strict ethical and safety standards.
✅ Real Living Wage – We ensure that workers in our supply chain are paid fairly, not just the legal minimum.
✅ Sustainable Materials – We use organic cotton and water-based inks, reducing harm to the planet and the people making our clothes.
✅ Slow Fashion Over Fast Fashion – We believe in quality over quantity, creating durable, hand-printed garments that last.
By choosing ethical fashion, you’re rejecting exploitation and supporting a movement that values people, planet, and purpose.
What Can We Do to Prevent Another Rana Plaza?
✔ Support Ethical Brands – Buy from businesses that are transparent about their supply chains and committed to fair wages.
✔ Ask #WhoMadeMyClothes? – The Fashion Revolution movement, started after Rana Plaza, encourages consumers to demand accountability from brands.
✔ Buy Less, Buy Better – Instead of supporting fast fashion, invest in high-quality, sustainable clothing that lasts.
✔ Spread Awareness – Many people still don’t know about Rana Plaza. Share the story, talk about ethical fashion, and demand industry change.
Final Thoughts: Remembering Rana Plaza, Demanding Better
The Rana Plaza disaster was preventable. Over 1,100 lives were lost because profit was prioritized over safety. Ten years later, the fight for fair wages, ethical production, and worker rights is far from over.
At Printed By Us, we believe fashion should empower, not exploit. Every purchase you make is a statement—let’s choose to support clothing that values people as much as profit.
Together, we can build a fairer, safer fashion industry. 💛
