Group calls for action after Bangladesh building collapses, killing more than 120

RENTON, Wash. — Labor rights groups are calling on Walmart and other retailers to help improve safety at garment plants in Bangladesh.

A building housing five clothing factories collapsed Wednesday morning, killing more than 120 people.

Hundreds of other garment workers have died in fires since 2005.

“The cost of our jeans should not be a human life,” said Elena Perez of Making Change at Walmart.

The organization rallied at Renton's Walmart store. It wants Walmart to sign a legally binding agreement to improve safety at plants it does business with, and to compensate families of workers who have died in plant disasters.

Walmart insists it is improving safety by paying for inspections of all its suppliers in Bangladesh.

The corporation has also donated $1.6 million to build an academy in Bangladesh that would provide safety training in that country.

KIRO