Retailers differ over Bangladesh safety accord
15/05/2013
They are said to be reluctant to join any accord that creates legally binding objectives. Gap said it would sign only if changes are made to the way disputes are resolved in the courts. The only major US company to announce its support is PVH, whose brands include Calvin Klein.
Sweden’s H&M and Spain's Inditex, owner of Zara, and the UK's Marks and Spencer are among those to have signed the accord. European labour groups, including IndustriALL, and non-governmental organisations provided the initial draft and set today as the deadline for companies to commit.
The US National Retail Federation spoke with industry groups including Retail Industry Leaders Association, American Apparel & Footwear Association and the Retail Council of Canada about creating its own strategy for improving safety in light of the factory collapse in Bangladesh last month that killed more than 1,000 people.
Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has also embarked on its own project, committing to check the factories of every supplier it uses in Bangladesh. "Walmart believes its safety plan meets or exceeds the IndustriALL proposal, and will get results more quickly," it said in a statement.
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