Lesotho, for example, relies almost exclusively on garment manufacturing for mass employment and income generation.

FORBES: Thousands of Jobs Hang On African Textile Trade Deal

There is always another country that is happy to take on garment manufacturing.

BBC: Can Bangladesh clothing factory disasters be prevented?

Fatal fires are common in Bangladesh's large garment manufacturing sector.

BBC: Bangladesh factory fire 'troubles' Walmart

Women and children illegally trafficked become involved in many other industries too, such as carpet and garment manufacturing and brick making, often ending up working long hours for low wages.

BBC: By South Asia Correspondent Mike Wooldridge

The blaze comes just two weeks after the collapse of the eight-story Rana Plaza building, home to five garment factories, killed at least 930 people and became the worst tragedy in the history of the global garment manufacturing industry.

NPR: Bangladesh Fire Kills 8 As Collapse Toll Hits 930

The Clean Clothes Campaign, a charity group lobbying to improve working conditions in the garment industry, on Monday condemned a recent move by the European Union to relax restrictions on Myanmar, a step that could open the way for more garment manufacturing in the formerly military-run country.

WSJ: Apparel Retailers Confront Tough Options

It missed shipments and repayments of debt taken out at 18% interest to pay for the move to Rana Plaza, according to interviews with bankers and members of the local garment-manufacturing association who know Mr. Adnan.

WSJ: Bangladesh Collapse: The Global Garment Trail: From Bangladesh to a Mall Near You

What it does have going for it is a large population, with most of its 150 million people of working age, and relatively low wages, which helped fuel a manufacturing boom centered around garment making.

WSJ: Bangladesh Unrest Risks Derailing Its Textile Boon