Bangladesh factory collapse: Who really pays for our cheap clothes?

Anna McMullen, special for CNN
Updated 11:24 AM EDT, Fri April 26, 2013
Members of the Bangladesh army pray at the site of the collapsed Rana Plaza in Savar near Dhaka on Tuesday, May 14. The army-led effort to search for bodies has ended nearly three weeks after the nine-story building collapsed. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2013/05/14/world/asia/bangladesh-building-collapse-aftermath/?hpt=hp_t2">The final death toll stands at 1,127</a>.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Members of the Bangladesh army pray at the site of the collapsed Rana Plaza in Savar near Dhaka on Tuesday, May 14. The army-led effort to search for bodies has ended nearly three weeks after the nine-story building collapsed. The final death toll stands at 1,127.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives of missing garment workers offer prayers in front of the rubble on May 14 in Savar.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Relatives of missing garment workers offer prayers in front of the rubble on May 14 in Savar.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A white board at the recovery command center near the disaster is used to track the death toll on Monday, May 13.
Photos: Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A white board at the recovery command center near the disaster is used to track the death toll on Monday, May 13.
Saeed Ahmed/CNN
Heavy equipment sifts through the rubble of the garment factory building collapse on Sunday, May 12.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Heavy equipment sifts through the rubble of the garment factory building collapse on Sunday, May 12.
AFP/Getty Images
A woman cries holds a portrait of a missing relative believed to be trapped in the rubble of the Rana Plaza building on Saturday, May 11.
Photos: Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman cries holds a portrait of a missing relative believed to be trapped in the rubble of the Rana Plaza building on Saturday, May 11.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladeshi garment worker Reshma Begum, a seamstress who survived 16 days trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building, rests in Savar Cantonment Hospital on the outskirts of Dhaka on May 11.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi garment worker Reshma Begum, a seamstress who survived 16 days trapped in the rubble of a collapsed building, rests in Savar Cantonment Hospital on the outskirts of Dhaka on May 11.
STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives search through a long line of covered decomposing bodies to try to identify their family members on May 11.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Relatives search through a long line of covered decomposing bodies to try to identify their family members on May 11.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Rescue workers retrieve Reshma from the rubble in Savar, Bangladesh, on Friday, May 10. She got rescue workers' attention by waving an iron rod. She was found in a pool of water, which allowed her to stay alive.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers retrieve Reshma from the rubble in Savar, Bangladesh, on Friday, May 10. She got rescue workers' attention by waving an iron rod. She was found in a pool of water, which allowed her to stay alive.
STRinger/AFP/Getty Images
An injured worker who survived the building collapse is carried by her husband to collect her wages in Savar near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, May 8.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
An injured worker who survived the building collapse is carried by her husband to collect her wages in Savar near Dhaka, Bangladesh, on Wednesday, May 8.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Garment workers who survived the building collapse line up to collect their salaries in Savar on May 8.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Garment workers who survived the building collapse line up to collect their salaries in Savar on May 8.
EPA/ABIR ABDULLAH /LANDOV
Workers continue rescue and recovery operations on Tuesday, May 7, nearly two weeks after the Rana Plaza building's collapse outside Dhaka.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Workers continue rescue and recovery operations on Tuesday, May 7, nearly two weeks after the Rana Plaza building's collapse outside Dhaka.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Rescue workers recover a body from the rubble on May 7.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers recover a body from the rubble on May 7.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Relatives place a body in the back of a truck on May 7.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Relatives place a body in the back of a truck on May 7.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
A woman attempts to identify one of the bodies kept in a schoolyard on May 7.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman attempts to identify one of the bodies kept in a schoolyard on May 7.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Members of the Bangladeshi army and firefighters carry the body of a garment worker from the scene of the building collapse in Savar, outside Dhaka, on Sunday, May 5.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Members of the Bangladeshi army and firefighters carry the body of a garment worker from the scene of the building collapse in Savar, outside Dhaka, on Sunday, May 5.
STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds a portrait of her missing relative as she sleeps on Saturday, May 4.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman holds a portrait of her missing relative as she sleeps on Saturday, May 4.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives attempt to identify the bodies of loved ones on May 4.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Relatives attempt to identify the bodies of loved ones on May 4.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers dig out debris from the Rana Plaza building as Bangladeshi army personnel continue the second phase of a rescue operation using heavy equipment on Friday, May 3.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers dig out debris from the Rana Plaza building as Bangladeshi army personnel continue the second phase of a rescue operation using heavy equipment on Friday, May 3.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A woman reacts on May 3 after identifying a body found in the rubble.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman reacts on May 3 after identifying a body found in the rubble.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A man stands amid the destruction as rescue and army personnel continue recovery operations on May 3.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A man stands amid the destruction as rescue and army personnel continue recovery operations on May 3.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A woman holds up a picture of a missing person believed to be trapped in the rubble on May 3.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman holds up a picture of a missing person believed to be trapped in the rubble on May 3.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A garment worker rescued from the wreckage of the Rana Plaza building lies in a hospital in Dhaka on Thursday, May 2.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A garment worker rescued from the wreckage of the Rana Plaza building lies in a hospital in Dhaka on Thursday, May 2.
STRinger/AFP/Getty Images
A woman weeps after identifying her daughter's body in the rubble in Savar on May 2.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman weeps after identifying her daughter's body in the rubble in Savar on May 2.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers move debris as Bangladeshi army personnel continue the second phase of a rescue operation at the site of the collapsed building in Savar on May 2.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers move debris as Bangladeshi army personnel continue the second phase of a rescue operation at the site of the collapsed building in Savar on May 2.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A woman mourns before a mass burial in Dhaka on Wednesday, May 1.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman mourns before a mass burial in Dhaka on Wednesday, May 1.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOV
Unidentified bodies from the rubble lie on the ground as people gather for a mass burial in Dhaka on May 1.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Unidentified bodies from the rubble lie on the ground as people gather for a mass burial in Dhaka on May 1.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOV
Workers dig graves during a mass burial of unidentified garment workers on May 1.
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Workers dig graves during a mass burial of unidentified garment workers on May 1.
STRINGER/reuters/LANDOV
Sohel Rana, owner of the collapsed Rana Plaza building, wears police-issued body armor and a helmet while being escorted to court in Dhaka on Tuesday, April 30. Rana was arrested near the Indian border, and protesters called for him to be hanged.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Sohel Rana, owner of the collapsed Rana Plaza building, wears police-issued body armor and a helmet while being escorted to court in Dhaka on Tuesday, April 30. Rana was arrested near the Indian border, and protesters called for him to be hanged.
STRinger/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladeshi troops carry the body of a garment worker out of the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar on April 30.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi troops carry the body of a garment worker out of the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza building in Savar on April 30.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Clothing with Joe Fresh labels lies in the debris on April 30.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Clothing with Joe Fresh labels lies in the debris on April 30.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Cranes operated by Bangladeshi army personnel work on Monday, April 29.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Cranes operated by Bangladeshi army personnel work on Monday, April 29.
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images)
Firefighters try to control a blaze that started while they were trying to rescue a woman with heavy equipment on April 29.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Firefighters try to control a blaze that started while they were trying to rescue a woman with heavy equipment on April 29.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladeshi army personnel begin the second phase of the rescue operation using heavy equipment on April 29.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi army personnel begin the second phase of the rescue operation using heavy equipment on April 29.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Rescuers look for survivors on Sunday, April 28. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society says the chances of finding anyone alive in the rubble at this date are remote.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescuers look for survivors on Sunday, April 28. The Bangladesh Red Crescent Society says the chances of finding anyone alive in the rubble at this date are remote.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A woman mourns on April 28 at the site of the building collapse in Savar.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman mourns on April 28 at the site of the building collapse in Savar.
Shariful Islam/XINHUA/LANDOV
Rescue workers search for survivors on April 28.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers search for survivors on April 28.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOV
Volunteers sleep before they begin more rescue operations on April 28.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Volunteers sleep before they begin more rescue operations on April 28.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers carry a victim's body recovered from the rubble on April 28.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers carry a victim's body recovered from the rubble on April 28.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Clothes lie in the rubble on Saturday, April 27.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Clothes lie in the rubble on Saturday, April 27.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
An arrested owner of a garment factory is escorted to an appearance at the court in Dhaka on April 27. Four people were arrested and four others are being questioned by police.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
An arrested owner of a garment factory is escorted to an appearance at the court in Dhaka on April 27. Four people were arrested and four others are being questioned by police.
STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images
Relatives hold photos of missing and dead workers outside the factory April 27.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Relatives hold photos of missing and dead workers outside the factory April 27.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Two Bangladeshi women look at a board with notices posted of missing and dead workers on April 27.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Two Bangladeshi women look at a board with notices posted of missing and dead workers on April 27.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladeshi relatives and workers load a body onto a truck on April 27.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi relatives and workers load a body onto a truck on April 27.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
An excavator operated by the Bangladeshi Army removes debris on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
An excavator operated by the Bangladeshi Army removes debris on April 26.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Volunteers and rescue workers conduct rescue operations on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Volunteers and rescue workers conduct rescue operations on April 26.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers use textile as a slide to move bodies out of the rubble on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers use textile as a slide to move bodies out of the rubble on April 26.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Rescue workers look for trapped garment workers on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers look for trapped garment workers on April 26.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOV
Rescue workers stand on the rubble of the collapsed building on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers stand on the rubble of the collapsed building on April 26.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOV
Rescue workers search the rubble for victims and survivors on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers search the rubble for victims and survivors on April 26.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOV
A rescue worker looks for trapped workers on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A rescue worker looks for trapped workers on April 26.
ANDREW BIRAJ/reuters/LANDOv
Bangladeshi army personnel recover a survivor from rubble on April 26, 48 hours after the collapse.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi army personnel recover a survivor from rubble on April 26, 48 hours after the collapse.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Volunteers and rescue workers assist in rescue operations on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Volunteers and rescue workers assist in rescue operations on April 26.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A physician assists a survivor after he was recovered from the rubble on April 26.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A physician assists a survivor after he was recovered from the rubble on April 26.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
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Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Two bodies clutch each other in the rubble on Thursday, April 25.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Two bodies clutch each other in the rubble on Thursday, April 25.
Courtesy Taslima Akhtfer
People rescue garment workers on April 25.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
People rescue garment workers on April 25.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A Bangladeshi woman shows a picture of her missing daughter-in-law she believes is trapped in the collapsed building on April 25.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A Bangladeshi woman shows a picture of her missing daughter-in-law she believes is trapped in the collapsed building on April 25.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladeshi firefighters cut a hole through concrete during rescue operations on April 25 in Savar, a suburb of Dhaka.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi firefighters cut a hole through concrete during rescue operations on April 25 in Savar, a suburb of Dhaka.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Volunteers and rescue workers work at the scene on April 25.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Volunteers and rescue workers work at the scene on April 25.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
A woman appears devastated on April 25 after identifying the body of her husband killed in the building collapse.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
A woman appears devastated on April 25 after identifying the body of her husband killed in the building collapse.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
Bangladeshi garment workers help evacuate a survivor by using a roll of fabric on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Bangladeshi garment workers help evacuate a survivor by using a roll of fabric on April 24.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
People rescue garment workers on Wednesday, April 24, after the building caved in, leaving a chaotic mass of broken concrete and twisted metal.<br />
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
People rescue garment workers on Wednesday, April 24, after the building caved in, leaving a chaotic mass of broken concrete and twisted metal.
ANDREW BIRAJ/Reuters/LANDOV
Relatives who lost a brother mourn outside a hospital on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Relatives who lost a brother mourn outside a hospital on April 24.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Rescuers help an injured garment worker to escape from the Rana Plaza building on the outskirts of Dhaka on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescuers help an injured garment worker to escape from the Rana Plaza building on the outskirts of Dhaka on April 24.
Farid Ahmed/CNN
Civilians help an injured garment worker on April 24. Work was proceeding slowly to avoid causing further collapse, an official said.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Civilians help an injured garment worker on April 24. Work was proceeding slowly to avoid causing further collapse, an official said.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV
Rescue workers search for trapped garment workers in the Rana Plaza building on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescue workers search for trapped garment workers in the Rana Plaza building on April 24.
ANDREW BIRAJ/Reuters/LANDOV
An injured Bangladeshi lies on the hospital floor on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
An injured Bangladeshi lies on the hospital floor on April 24.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
The injured receive treatment at a hospital on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
The injured receive treatment at a hospital on April 24.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
An injured person rests in a hospital bed on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
An injured person rests in a hospital bed on April 24.
MUNIR UZ ZAMAN/AFP/Getty Images
People wait anxiously on April 24 while rescuers search for survivors.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
People wait anxiously on April 24 while rescuers search for survivors.
Farid Ahmed/CNN
Rescuers help an injured person out of the seventh floor on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Rescuers help an injured person out of the seventh floor on April 24.
Farid Ahmed/CNN
Civilians help out in rescue efforts at the collapsed building on April 24.
Building collapses in Bangladesh —
Civilians help out in rescue efforts at the collapsed building on April 24.
ABIR ABDULLAH/EPA/LANDOV