Video: Solution to Bangladesh Factory Tragedy is 'Mending, Not Ending' Industry
The April 2013 collapse of a garment factory in Bangladesh that is being called one of the worst industrial accidents ever has some Western companies considering leaving the country, thereby threatening the future of an industry that has become the second-largest apparel exporter after China.
In the video above, Ejaj Ahmad, founder and president of Bangladesh Youth Leadership Center (BYLC), cautions against such moves. The Asia Society Asia 21 fellow says the solution lies not in abandoning a thriving industry in a developing country, but using the incident to ensure more stringent regulations are enforced and that workers' rights are made a priority.
Asia Society's Asia 21 Young Leaders Initiative includes a network of more than 700 young leaders representing every country in the region and nearly all sectors, and has become the Asia-Pacific region's leading network for emerging leaders under the age of 40. Click here for more information.