Large fashion chains and trade unions have agreed on a new agreement for the safety of the textile industry in Bangladesh. The rights of employees are to be further strengthened.
International fashion chains and trade unions have agreed on a new agreement on safety in textile factories in Bangladesh. The agreement comes into force on Wednesday and should apply for at least two years, according to a statement.
It is a follow-up to an agreement on fire safety and building security that fashion chains and unions concluded after the collapse of a factory building in Rana Plaza eight years ago, killing more than 1,100 people, which expires at the end of August.
The calamity showed the world the great problems in making clothes. Bangladesh is the largest producer here after China. According to the parties involved, the agreement called Accord achieved that more than 120,000 security risks were resolved in almost 1,600 factories.
The new agreement was also legally binding, the message said. The focus is now also on health and safety as well as compliance with standards by the industry. The so-called Ready Made Garments Sustainability Council (RSC) is to take over control, which not only includes trade unions and fashion chains but also factory owners. The aim is to export the program to other countries, according to the international union Uni. It will come into force on September 1st, when the fashion chains involved will also be announced. The previous agreement included Tchibo, Kik, Aldi and H&M, among others.
Union officials in Bangladesh welcomed the new agreement. But now it is important that it is implemented accordingly, said Babul Akhter from the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation of the German Press Agency.
The Hamburg Otto Group said that the company had signed the agreement. Tobias Wollermann from the company’s Corporate Responsibility department emphasized: “The new agreement is not only an important step to further strengthen the rights of employees, but also to preserve the progress already made in the field of building and fire protection.” He hopes that more companies will sign the agreement.
Jane Stock is a technology author, who has written for 24 Hours World. She writes about the latest in technology news and trends, and is always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to improve his audience’s experience.
