Made in Bangladesh: 10 years after the deadly Rana Plaza collapse - The Fifth Estate

In the decade since 1,134 people were killed and thousands injured in Bangladesh’s Rana Plaza garment factory collapse, promises to improve safety ring hollow. The Fifth Estate’s Mark Kelley revisits the site of the deadly collapse and finds workers are still not paid a living wage - including those working for Canadian companies such as Loblaw’s Joe Fresh.
This is a follow-up to Made in Bangladesh, which won the 2014 International Emmy® Award for Current Affairs programming.
00:00 - Visiting the site of the deadly collapse
13:13 - Are workers safer today?
23:19 - Demanding action
35:55 - Loblaws’ Joe Fresh statement
#Bangladesh #RanaPlaza #documentary
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About The Fifth Estate: For more than four decades, The Fifth Estate has been Canada's premier investigative documentary program. Hosts Bob McKeown, Mark Kelley and Steven D'Souza continue a tradition of provocative and fearless journalism. The Fifth Estate brings in-depth investigations that matter to Canadians - delivering a dazzling parade of political leaders, controversial characters and ordinary people whose lives were touched by triumph or tragedy.
Made in Bangladesh: 10 years later
producer/director
Timothy Sawa
writer
Mark Kelley
associate producers
Lisa Ellenwood
Abdullah Al Imran
video editor
Naire Bahjat
senior videographer
John Badcock csc
drone operators
Akhter Hossain
Md. Mukul Mia
Patrick Morrell
additional cinematography
Jonathan Castell
Michael Cole
Travis Golby
Andy Hincenbergs
Derek Hooper
Mokhter Hossain
Israr Ahmed Khan
Yanjun Li
Keith Whelan
sound operators
Md. Baizid
Md. Shihab
production assistant - bangladesh
Tamzid Sheikh
archival material
Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh
AFP
AP Archive
AP Images
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Business and Human Rights Resource Centre
Caroline Leal / Oxfam Canada
Dhaka Tribune
ETV
Maasranga TV
NTV
Reuters
Taslima Akhter
The Daily Star
The Guardian
Workers Rights Consortium
wsws.org
KZbin
graphic designer
Tim Kindrachuk
post audio
Roberto Capretta
Ron Searles
colourist
Scott McIntyre
visual research
Leslie Morrison
media management
Astoria Luzzi
rollout producer
Leanne Stepnow
social media producers
Alex Migdal
Britt Purdy
digital producer
Janet Davison
project manager
Victor Kerr
resource coordinators
Marc Cormier
Dragan Maricic
Sam Nar
associate director
Nanci King
packaging editor
Alessia Protomanni
coordinating associate directors
Rhonda Kirkpatrick
Jane Wilson
senior producers
Raj Ahluwalia
Emmanuel Marchand
executive producer
Allya Davidson
original broadcast
February 2, 2024

[@northerngurl6178]

And yet Joe Fresh is still in business, Canadians were outraged for about 5 minutes after this happened, then went on to put it out of memory, this story should never have died with those victims.

[@masshomegrower]

And their government shouldn't forget either. There just as much as fault as Joe fresh

[@Viewer-qm3qx]

Are you Canadian? I'm still not impressed

[@northerngurl6178]

@Viewer-qm3qx yes I'm Canadian, I remember this story, so sad

[@osmia]

This is quality - revisiting a previous story so it doesn't fade into the public subconscious

[@m.e.345]

Wow.. The Fifth Estate hits it out of the ballpark again.. excellent documentary.

[@m.e.345]

What can we do as individuals to help?

[@mangotwiss]

The fifth Estate, please do not stop reporting. The type of professionalism you dedicate on your reports IS BEYOND.! l would've loved to be a professional journalist as you are guys!

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

Amen to that.

[@cruisinonaduck]

Agreed. Absolutely the best investigative show in Canada ❤

[@sarahrean7174]

That's changed nothing people still gonna buy Sad truths

[@zooedca]

People need to stop shopping at Lablaws and the other brands manufacturing there. Lablaws already gouges its customers for record profits, $621-million per quarter for 2.5 billion profits in 2023. There are other alternatives out there.

[@Janewomanpower]

Yes we all need to ban together and protest across Canada.

[@eugenelaporte8159]

Corporate greed at its lowest.

[@PlatinumIrishrose]

I never buy labels new. The second hand stores are where I shop, except for underwear. Those I do buy new.

[@zooedca]

@@PlatinumIrishrose Problem is all those are also made in sweat shops. So unless you make your own clothes we are caught between a rock and a hard place

[@TheDd2402]

I am a Bangladeshi Canadian and here’s what you should do. Stopping to buy at Joe Fresh or Zara or H&M really doesn’t solve the problem. There has to be a minimum floor price for each garment item that ensures safety, ethics and fair wage for these people. As ACCORD came along to fix the safety of the workers there needs to be a new ACCORD to establish floor prices of each piece of garment produced.

[@m.e.345]

Yeah.. but when/how is that going to happen? ..I think Canadians in the know should boycott Joe Fresh etc.. otherwise this documentary will quite possibly be forgotten and in the end, have done nothing.

[@m.e.345]

There seem to be brands on the internet which claim to pay their workers a "living wage".

[@richardcarroll9864]

No. I want my.clothes as cheap as possible!!!

[@Viewer-qm3qx]

​@@richardcarroll9864 I highly doubt you wear Joe Fresh. Sounds like you get your clothes from the dum*p. News flash, the cheapest clothing is 2nd hand clothing which often still has tags.. So buying Jf isn't as frugal as you seem to think it is. I'm pretty sure you're just trying to display your ignorance..

[@ak6885]

we need to band together and boycott these brands. these companies should be forced to compensate the victims.

[@camelkarma]

I am going to buy more in UK as inflation is high

[@maxmax-vi2mw]

I will wear those brands with pride. If those factories were in your country and you were not skilled at anything else you would also be working there. So who cares. Someone have to do it, do you want to sew clothes?

[@trixie6793]

Yes. I'll sign a petition to get weston to pay, he is worth 4.3,000,000.00 Its time Stole Long enough.

[@angelaortiz3406]

The richer got rich, and the poor poor, that is so sad that these women are living like this, shame, shame, shame🙏🏼

[@hridoymorshed604]

what? u sound like never been to school. do u know how the economy aka money works?

[@TheKayc136]

My heart aches watching this and all those who died and were injured. Aruti/ Shumi is such a beautiful, dignified woman. You can see in her eyes though the pain she is suffering, both mentally and physically. The companies should still be supporting her, and the other people involved. .

[@MadelineBlackburn]

8:31 l have not shopped Loblaws or Joe Fresh since Rana. Thanks for bringing it to our attention again. Money and power, when will it be human beings , poor or rich.

[@TLAR24]

I feel that anyone that sells clothing should be transparent in where their products are coming from. Even small business. There are companies out there that sell bulk clothing and get the product from Bangladesh but no where on the site does it tell you where the products are made. Make it known for people to be able to make better decisions.

[@robbiewotherspoon6042]

Thanks Mark ,journalist team ! The company, government ,industry rapping the workers of a just wage from the existing market ? Wow humanity ?

[@YoliePolie]

Buy second hand, there's enough clothing on the planet to last a century.

[@vickythefist7062]

Too right really annoys me .and then we send all our old clothes abroad to pollute other countries disgusting

[@user-nz7co4pk5s]

The problem is too much of it is cheap rubbish that simply won't last. There really is no possibility of ethical consumption within the current system.

[@yujiacao]

These companies and CEOs have already taken huge advantage of cheap labors from poor countries, at least at least give these poor people a safe working enviornment. If there is reincarnation, i wish god no matter what god turn these CEOs and corrupt government officials to these poor worker and let them get a dose of their own medicine.

[@rainorshine7816]

I will NEVER buy Joe Fresh again I don’t care how cheap the clothes are I prefer quality over quantity Sustainable clothing and living wages for workers

[@IloveCamels335]

But that's not what will happen as a consequence. There are still millions more that will still buy there. And in case everyone stopped buying cheap clothes then it does not solve the problem either. Then their garment industry goes down and all these people don't have any job at all and cannot survive. So your way of thinking is not the solution.

[@bdloosetalk]

Thanks Fifth State . Yet another justice served to the people and showcase the power of journalism.

[@prabhdeepdhahan1147]

Can't buy anything anywhere without it being made by exploited workers.

[@jeffliu4203]

My heart went out for these poor people. The conditions in these 3rd world countries are so woeful that, it's a luxury to value lives there. Thank you for still remembering these poor souls! And Mark, you are unfazed to become the least welcomed person any where you went. Kudos to your courage! You probably think you may become part of the solution, but the factory owners and the stake holders more likely think you are part of a problem. I am sure that factory owner has had his MBA degree taken, as his answer sounded like straight out of textbook. If you continued, you may about to incite a revolution.

[@hollydisanto9148]

Thanks for the reminder. 🙏

[@TheRajuSharma]

Thank you for sharing this

[@leonnehaaijman4709]

Loblaw: a lot of empty words and promises. A LOT.

[@evelynschatz643]

Loblaws & Joe Fresh should be ashamed of themselves & these rich owners will stand before the Maker of these who cry out!!!

[@user-ge1qm6yc2j]

Very painful memory of Bangladesh

[@Ashinle]

You guys do some criminally underrated work. Keep doing the world's work these are an absolute necessity.

[@hildaharkin]

I’ll never buy Joe Fresh again

[@GimpSimp-nf1cv]

Joe mama would be proud.

[@brunomckay1875]

About time there was a full blown Parliamentary Hearing or a Royal Commission to force change. Its all about the dollars at the end of the day.

[@user-fh2in4mu2j]

NEVER bought Joe fresh and fast fashion in general, I prefer to save a buy one good quality item a year then their garbage

[@susystewart5139]

Thank you!! Fifth Estate for doing this. Thank you!!

[@samlantier4268]

One of the wretched countries in the world where the rich and powerful, in business or govt displays the worst negligence and total indifference in safety and security to their own people. Building illegal multistoried building in a swamp by bribing govt inspectors and officials from the lowest level to the highest including Ministers, Engineers, MPs and Union leaders. A building that not only holds tens of thousands of Industrial workers, but tons of industrial machineries was destined to collapse from the day the foundation was laid. With the increase in corruption and no accountability, more disasters are waiting to happen.

[@mg79277]

I think it is only realistic to conclude that as long as our meek gouvernements allow their billionaire political supporters to get away with putting peoples lives at stake nothing will change. The world will continue to be polluted with all this throw away clothes mainly made with cheap chemical fabrics more people will stay poor or die and the more the planet will suffer. Greed has taken the place of civility All word salad from everyone except the victims

[@veronicaleyba929]

Just discovered these wonderful documentaries 👌

[@fionagregory9147]

All of M&S clothes are made in Bangladesh.

[@user-fh2in4mu2j]

boycott these brands ASAP

[@abstract7073]

I don’t buy Joe Fresh

[@camelkarma]

I buy

[@ivytales2571]

amazing documentary !

[@colettewithlove]

I want to know the rest of the companies that are responsible too! Canada have too many secrets for me

[@Por2ugal]

Aritzia is another

[@genuinefreewilly5706]

Great follow up and journalism

[@donyahome]

I feel sorry for those people 😢 The big brands name using them and taking advantage of their needs 😢😢😢

[@Jean-gf3fi]

Once again, quality journalism & professional reporting! Thank you for re-visiting this situation

[@amityleo]

Excellent documentary Fifth Estate, since i lived in Bangladesh before, i know how corrupt the chain is!

[@fllares2816]

thank you!

[@diannebrunet4969]

I’m not surprised that the Lawblaws CEO denied an interview because he’s currently TOO BUSY SCREWING CANADIANS ON FOOD PRICING

[@rainorshine7816]

Pay workers in Bangladesh a living wage Where is your humanity? #GalenWeston

[@monicadubois4334]

really is it better today answer no just hide it in a poorer country and the large corperations just walk away. you all forget money is king and people are cheap.. dead and poor people are hard to hear.

[@vickythefist7062]

EVERYONE Should refuse to buy ANYTHING from joe fresh . Disgusting cheap skates

[@sidthekid4730]

Brilliant video 📹. Please do one on Pakistan 🇵🇰 garment industry etc, as mentioned.

[@bhikaribaba34]

Thanks - The Fifth Estate - Mark Kelley. Exploitation of Labor has been going on in Bangladesh for several decades and unfortunately no improvement. There is "Talk the Talk but not Walk the Walk"

[@afrobian1]

This is good journalism.

[@Hi__5]

The final words are chilling… 😢

[@404errornew]

Top Class Journalism.

[@TheMissDebyluv]

This event caused me to stop buying fast fashion

[@susanhykaway1676]

Thank you for opening my eyes to this.. its disappointing and disgusting the way humans treat others

[@nom5205]

I dont understand how a canadian import company under contract with a foreign manufacturer can be held responsible for things like worker rights, building safety and laws in those foreign countries. What about all the goods imported from china, the foods imported from Africa and Brazil..?? Do we send inspectors there...to all those factories, or do we allow those countries to manage and regulate themselves...???

[@user-nm9hj1qo2u]

Boycot Joe fresh

[@GimpSimp-nf1cv]

“Do you see that as conflict of interest. No.” I fell from my chair.

[@Por2ugal]

This is a great story and why I stopped purchasing fast fashion a long time ago!!!

[@vickythefist7062]

OMG i thought a couple of hundred sied not over a thousand. Thays terrible and sick

[@GimpSimp-nf1cv]

In Bangladesh, expectations are skewed. A majority of the population might engage in activities that defy societal norms for additional income. The remaining 1% consists of the extremely wealthy who seem indifferent to such concerns.

[@magicofkarpaty103]

So sorry, Guy's

[@tristanmason7405]

Meanwhile a citizen urinates on the death ground of his fellow citizens! And it’s filmed!

[@maryjocully8806]

Such a friggin insulting business that cares nothing about their workers lives. Thank you for getting the message out.

[@monicascott2354]

The Rana Plaza collapse changed my way of thinking forever. I stopped buying retail because of that young mother having to deliver her baby- TRAPPED -under the rubble. Gut wrenching.

[@ruuutbear]

Is there anyway to help shumi

[@johnbethea4505]

Didn't I see a USSR hammer and scythe in front of where the building stood. Why was it there???

[@johnbethea4505]

@@TheUnknownVideographer thanks. Then their Communist government should take care of them. We here in the USA 🇺🇸 have enough trouble trying to take of millions of illegals, the Socialist and Commies here.

[@abstract7073]

@@TheUnknownVideographerBut, this is Bangladesh, which was East Bengal before it was partitioned off when Pakistan was created, naming it East Pakistan, a part of Pakistan. West Bengal in India and Bangladesh (which was East Bengal when it was a part of India) have communists leanings, yet their workers are treated this badly….

[@jadedqueen3619]

I feel helpless, is there a way we can help those 2 ladies to get an education and hopefully leave those sweatshops behind? We can boycott JF but do we know where all the other garments are made?

[@user-rs7ve3ky3u]

So now what? Made a great program, surely a lot of views for the CBC, but what about the employees and victims? Does anything change for them?

[@jihadahmed3980]

💔

[@Lncccccc]

It's unjust news reporting that doesn't tell the complete story. It does not address both sides of the controversy. The Fifth Estate don't even properly request permission before interviewing someone who isn't accessible to the public for security reasons. If this type of media is accurate and impartial, it will properly obtain permission before conducting an interview. The Fifth Estate is aware of their behaviour and doesn't meet the standards of fairness and truth in broadcasting. I urge you to reapply, attend the broadcasting course, and review the laws guiding fair interviews. Rather it scandalous, suspicious and one sided media. Go back and think on your previous reports.

[@Viewer-qm3qx]

Who was I'm charge of inspections of buildings and the structure? Who was supposed to insure the structure was safe for staff??

[@ratuly2436]

🇧🇩😭😭😢😢

[@2nd_of_3]

It saddens me that there aren’t more views for this. This is a pertinent issue unlike the political nightmare that has overshadowed EVERYTHING else 😢

[@user-mt1eb4js4e]

Anyone working for companies that doesn’t care about workers Please voice your concerns trust me these companies are millionaires.

[@Viewer-qm3qx]

I can't even remember the last time I got a new outfit. Working full time here and can't afford new clothes..

[@stephanienguyen6992]

DON'T BUY IF NOT: Made in Canada, USA, AUSTRALIA, PARIS, UK, ITALY.

[@efolinsky]

Things can be advertised as made in those countries if the end product is made there but 99% of it was made in another….. high end brands have been called out for this

[@hannahwahu8842]

Sadly corruption and negligence is everywhere, the rich are getting richer the poor are also getting poorer and for those who are working hard to break those bridges you must sweat and really sweat in order to achieve that goal. That is the state of the world and how much you get angry at those people who are taking advantage of others there is nothing you can do and it's already established and people are not ready to change that mostly those who hold powerful positions

[@sheikhramimislamdip]

👍😢

[@rainorshine7816]

#GalenWestonJR is a monster

[@AliAliAliali-jo6wz]

👍😥😥😥💖💖💖

[@rainorshine7816]

#Galenweston is a monster

[@johannesswartbooi1478]

That's a very poor human rights, please stop the poverty that's greediness and it's evil. 😢😢

[@cherchuhaikieu4328]

I think we have the same problem everywhere. Greedy people in power sucking the blood out of their citizens.

[@GregPetaSmith]

Horrendous situation 😢 but (as an arrested development fan), am I the only one who can’t take ‘loblaw’ seriously! 😂

[@theStevenPowell]

u say Bangledesh but it looks like Melbourne, Australia

[@Troy-ol5fk]

26:09 is it a street or a river 😂

[@Troy-ol5fk]

I won't be buy clothes for a while after watching this

[@h2oboater]

Just one more reason NOT to shop at Loblaws. The Company and Everything about it has completely turned me off in the last few years . Rediculous.... 🤢🤢🤢🤢🤢

[@feliciawright1750]

It's odd. That this is not a real brand, joe fresh is a dollar store brand, and doesn't need to be made.

[@timothybyers]

Many Canadian politicians are business owners as well. Most do not treat their employees this bad. It is almost always about profit.

[@marymaestas8617]

Amazon sells Joe Fresh.

[@brigittepicard8008]

Names of clothing companies we should boycott in Canada

[@Por2ugal]

Most clothing companies operate this way

[@rec.thecritic]

Why can't Canadian companies hire people within Canada?

[@monicascott2354]

A swamp? It was built in a SWAMP?! 😵‍💫🥴

[@in_tasin]

Certainly, following the Rana Plaza incident, the administration has undertaken numerous initiatives to enhance the security of the RMG sector through modernization. As a result, we now boast the highest number of green factories in the country.

[@GimpSimp-nf1cv]

Bs.

[@GimpSimp-nf1cv]

90% of your population is being exploited by the unscrupulous 10%. Shame on you.

[@in_tasin]

@@GimpSimp-nf1cv Just google it! I'm not claiming we're the best, but we've addressed many problems and made significant improvements.

[@Por2ugal]

LULULEMON, ARITZIA, NIKE to name a few more!!!

[@JASONBORNEification]

Some people just forget about humanity over money. Sadly that is a dark side of bangladesh. whats even more sad is canadian companies are no different and takes advantage and by the way I believe the Bgmea president is bangladeshi canadian which fifth estate did not mention and thats a bigger shame because he did not sound like he cares about safety and regulation of workers.

[@justanotherperson584]

Shame on Joe Freash and factory owners placing their money maker community in poverty. Very very sad. These are human people working 11 hour days six days a week for what? Change is an understatement. Rana should have these people taken care of……all expenses……everything. Homes, healthcare and all it takes to live comfortably.

[@mrsjackson9822]

Uhm….3:08

[@OMG000.]

A lot has changed then. Good

[@susystewart5139]

shame shame shame. One day we will stand before Almighty God to give an answer. He for sure cares what heppens to these poor people

[@rainorshine7816]

#BoycottJoeFresh

[@dreamer2675]

🥺