On April 24, 2013, an eight-story commercial building named Rana Plaza collapsed in Bangladesh. It was located in Savar, in area of the capital city of Dhaka. Over 1000 people lost their lives, and over 2500 more were injured, making it the deadliest garment-factory accident in history.

Rana Plaza

The tag said
Made in Bangladesh
The price was less than
A Starbucks cup

Outside the store
Shoppers shuffled past
Plate glass windows
Offering fall looks from $9.95

Inside, this dress
This cotton blend with
No obvious sign of distress
Bore no specific address

The label didn’t say
Rana Plaza
The label didn’t say
Savar, or Greater Dhaka

The label didn’t say
My name is Rima
I stitched this garment
I will lose my life next month

Or merely suffer a crushed leg
After a lifetime of
Sweatshop labor
Adding injury to insult

© 2013 Eileen Ridge