Every Friday an editorial board member speaks with a prominent figure from the University or surrounding community. This week Alexandra Willcox sat down with Olivia Abrecht of Student Action with Workers.
On April 24 of last year, more than 100 workers died in a factory collapse in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It was one of the most deadly factory disasters in history, and one of three that happened in Bangladesh last year alone.
“That was the event that really drew the world’s attention and started workers in Bangladesh demanding that something change. And they gained a lot of support around the world for that.”
Junior Olivia Abrecht got involved with Student Action with Workers, a group that works in solidarity with workers connected to UNC, her freshman year.
“Worker’s rights had always been something that I was passionate about.”
After the factory disaster last April, Student Action with Workers began raising awareness of the problem around campus, as a large amount of UNC apparel is produced in Bangladeshi factories. The group also met various times with the Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee, a group comprised of representatives from around campus that makes recommendations to the chancellor pertaining to UNC’s licensees.
“(The committee) has assured us that they will be making a recommendation to the chancellor by the end of spring break.”
This recommendation should lead to a commitment to ensure no workers are killed in factories that produce UNC apparel.
Abrecht is hopeful the committee will support a move to require all UNC licensees to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, which would require safer building standards in factories and give workers more rights.
