Seven More Brands Commit to Bangladesh Accord
A new group of seven major brands and retailers committed to signing the binding Bangladesh fire and safety accord according to the Worker Rights Consortium. Included in this new group of retailers are Marks & Spencer, Benetton and Mango.
In addition to those three, the labor rights watchdog group said El Corte Ingles of Spain and several smaller European brands (Stockmann, N Brown Group and G-Star) will also sign the "Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh."
As more European companies make the commitment to building safety, pressure on U.S. brands and retailers increase to do the same.
WWD explains, "The pact is a legally enforceable contract between brands and retailers and unions, which will go to binding arbitration to resolve disputes. It stipulates that companies will agree to independent safety inspections with public reports; mandatory repairs and renovations, ensuring factories have the money to pay for all repairs, renovations and retro-fitting by raising prices or paying for renovations directly; require factory owners that are considered top-tier suppliers to a brand or retailer to allow union representatives to have regular access to their factories, and terminate business with any factory that refuses to make necessary safety upgrades. It also requires 'a vital role' for workers and their unions, requiring the establishment of health and safety committees in all covered factories with worker representatives comprising at least 50 percent of the membership."
The agreement is a pact with unions, including IndustriALL Global, UNI Global UNION and numerous Bangladeshi apparel unions. Nongovernmental organizations, like WRC, Clean Clothes Campaign, International Labor Rights Forum and Maquila Solidarity Network will sign the accord as witnesses.
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