Bangladesh Accord extended
International textile and apparel retailers and trade union organisations have reached agreement on continuing the former Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. This agreement established commitments to workplace safety in Bangladesh following the fatal fire at Rana Plaza in 2013, which claimed 1,134 garment workers as victims.
A new agreement, the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, will take effect on 1 September 2021.
Signatories said the renewed agreement “advances the fundamental elements that made the [original] accord successful, including: respect for freedom of association, independent administration and implementation, a high level of transparency, training and worker awareness programmes, and a credible, independent complaints mechanism”.
New features include a commitment to health and safety, and to building “a credible industry-wide compliance and accountability mechanism”. There is also a commitment to expand the work of the International Accord to other countries.
