Dive Brief:

• Police in Bangladesh Monday charged 41 people with murder in the 2013 fire and collapse of a factory complex that catered to the apparel industry. The building’s owner, his parents, owners of many factories in the complex, and some government officials were among those charged.

• More than 1,100 people died in what is the worst garment factory safety incident in history.

• A report conducted in the aftermath of the disaster found that the complex was poorly constructed with sub-standard materials and that workers were made to return to work after a code investigation found the building to be unsafe. That report also recommended homicide charges.

Dive Insight:

The incident two years ago horrified the world, shed light on the low pay and terrible working conditions of many global apparel workers, and led to promises of reform from clothing retailers worldwide. But advocates say little has been done since then to aid victims or change working conditions. Many retailers have failed to donate their pledged amounts to a fund established by the Clean Clothes Campaign to aid victims and their families, for example.

In addition to the homicide charges this week, a documentary, "The True Cost," about the pressures of fast-fashion to produce cheap clothing at record speed explores how worker rights and safety are sacrificed in that process, was released this month. The film is one of many reports showing the unsustainable hidden costs of apparel — costs that many say workers, and not retailers or consumers, are paying at the moment.