Fashion CSR by global brands vs. social enterprises: a closer look after the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh

The case: In April 2013 an eight-story commercial garments factory in Bangladesh totally collapsed killing over 1100 workers. Bangladesh, the world’s second largest garments exporting country, faced acute criticism in this regard for not ensuring social and environmental responsibilities at workplace. Global fashion brands that outsource products from Bangladesh also faced severe criticism for not exercising their CSRs properly that ultimately can lead to similar tragic occurrences in the future.

Its value: This case can be explored to illustrate how the global fashion companies currently practise CSR after the factory collapse in Bangladesh to ensure a healthy working condition and a sustainable environment. By the same token, it also compares how social enterprises in Bangladesh practise CSR differently to open up newer avenues towards a holistically sustainable production environment that can positively meet the interests of all the stakeholders involved.