DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP) — The garment factory in
Bangladesh where a weekend fire killed at least 112 people had been making
clothes for Wal-Mart without the giant U.S. retailer's knowledge, Wal-Mart
said.
Wal-Mart said the Tazreen Fashions Ltd. factory was no
longer authorized to produce merchandise for Wal-Mart but that a supplier
subcontracted work to it "in direct violation of our policies."
"Today, we have terminated the relationship with
that supplier," America's biggest retailer said in a statement Monday.
"The fact that this occurred is extremely troubling to us, and we will
continue to work across the apparel industry to improve fire safety education
and training in Bangladesh."
The blaze on Saturday was one of the deadliest fires at a
garment factory in Bangladesh and highlighted how the country's garment
factories often ignore safety in the rush to supply major retailers in the U.S.
and Europe. More than 300 people have died over the past six years in garment
factory fires in the South Asian country.