Rana Plaza anniversary statement from International Accord
The International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry has issued a statement to mark the eleventh anniversary of the Rana Plaza building collapse in Bangladesh.
In the statement, the International Accord paid tribute to the 1,138 garment workers who lost their lives on April 24, 2013, when the building in which they were making clothes for international brands collapsed.
It said: “On this solemn anniversary, the Accord pays tribute to the victims, the survivors, and those enduring the impact of one of the most devastating workplace disasters in modern history.”
The Accord is a framework agreement between garment brands and trade unions to ensure worker health and safety in the textile and garment industry. It has country-specific safety programmes for Bangladesh and Pakistan.
“We are committed to ensuring that garment factory workers are safeguarded with a safe and healthy work environment as a fundamental principle and right at work,” the statement concluded. “We urge more brands to join us in this effort by signing the Accord and putting worker safety at the core of their garment supply chains.”
