27 Nov 2012

Wal-Mart 'unaware' Bangladesh factory made its clothes

10:02 pm on 27 November 2012

America's biggest retailer Wal-Mart says a garment factory in Bangladesh in which more than 100 people died in a fire at the weekend was making clothes for it without its knowledge.

Survivors said exit doors were locked at the Tazreen Fashions plant, near the capital Dhaka, and fire extinguishers did not work on Saturday.

Workers and relatives of those who died vented their anger on Monday as thousands protested in Dhaka, demanding better protection, the BBC reports.

Many factories are shut ahead of a day of mourning on Tuesday. The cause of the fire is unclear.

Wal-Mart says a supplier had subcontracted work to the factory without authorisation and in violation of its policies.

The company says it is cutting ties with the supplier.