International Accord at the 4th UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights
Updates on programs in Bangladesh
The International Accord participated in the 4th UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights organised by UNDP Business and Human Rights Asia from 20-22 March 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The International Accord participated in the 4th UN South Asia Forum on Business and Human Rights organised by UNDP Business and Human Rights Asia from 20-22 March 2023 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
The forum brought together key stakeholders including governments, trade unions, civil society, businesses, UN agencies, and development partners that discussed over a dozen topics relevant to the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) during the three-day deliberations.
International Accord participated in the plenary From Tragedy to Progress: Lessons from the Rana Plaza Building Collapse that analyzed the progress and highlighted the continued need to prioritize worker safety in the textile and garment industry. The session was moderated by Prof Pichamon Yeophantong, Chair of the UN Working Group on Business and Human Rights, and included insights from Shamim Ehsan (BKMEA), Mahruna Islam (UNDP) Kalpona Akter, Bangladesh Center for Workers’ Solidarity, and Zulfiqar Shah, Pakistan Consultant, International Accord.
- The contributions of the Accord in building a safer Bangladeshi garment industry.
- The importance of awareness, trust, and collaboration in ensuring human rights in business.
- The crucial role of stakeholder engagement, particularly the participation of local industry and government, in any new Accord country programs.
- The opportunities in replicating the Accord model in other major garment-producing countries.
- The benefits of legally binding agreements in ensuring transparency and accountability in garment supply chains.
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Related updates
The International Accord organised a virtual side session on 13 February as a part of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector to discuss the challenges & opportunities for the recently launched Pakistan Accord.
Accord Steering Committee member brands BESTSELLER, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group, and PVH Corp. have signed the Pakistan Accord.
Signatories to the International Accord are establishing a new workplace health and safety program in Pakistan covering signatories’ garment and textile suppliers.
Building on the Bangladesh Accord’s progress, garment brands and global unions reach agreement on new, expanded worker safety pact.
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RSC: Status of Safety Remediation in Bangladesh
Updates on programs in Bangladesh
On 1 June 2020, the functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh transitioned to the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC). The RSC inherited all operations, staff, infrastructure, and functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh; and continues with factory inspections, remediation monitoring, and workplace program. This means that from 1 June 2020 onwards, signatories to the International Accord have agreed to fulfill their commitments in Bangladesh through their participation in the RSC.
You can find the progress & completion rates of safety remediation at the Accord-covered factories on the website of the RSC here.
Related updates
The International Accord organised a virtual side session on 13 February as a part of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector to discuss the challenges & opportunities for the recently launched Pakistan Accord.
Accord Steering Committee member brands BESTSELLER, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group, and PVH Corp. have signed the Pakistan Accord.
Signatories to the International Accord are establishing a new workplace health and safety program in Pakistan covering signatories’ garment and textile suppliers.
Building on the Bangladesh Accord’s progress, garment brands and global unions reach agreement on new, expanded worker safety pact.
Follow us on social media
RSC: Status of the Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism in Bangladesh
Updates on programs in Bangladesh
Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism
Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism
On 1 June 2020, the functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh transitioned to the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC). The RSC inherited all operations, staff, infrastructure, and functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh; and continues with factory inspections, remediation monitoring, and workplace program. This means that from 1 June 2020 onwards, signatories to the International Accord have agreed to fulfill their commitments in Bangladesh through their participation in the RSC.
You can find the Occupational Safety and Health Complaints Mechanism at the Accord-covered factories on the website of the RSC here.
Related updates
The International Accord organised a virtual side session on 13 February as a part of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector to discuss the challenges & opportunities for the recently launched Pakistan Accord.
Accord Steering Committee member brands BESTSELLER, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group, and PVH Corp. have signed the Pakistan Accord.
Signatories to the International Accord are establishing a new workplace health and safety program in Pakistan covering signatories’ garment and textile suppliers.
Building on the Bangladesh Accord’s progress, garment brands and global unions reach agreement on new, expanded worker safety pact.
Follow us on social media
RSC: Status of Inspections program in Bangladesh
Updates on programs in Bangladesh
Inspections program
Inspections program
On 1 June 2020, the functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh transitioned to the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC). The RSC inherited all operations, staff, infrastructure, and functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh; and continues with factory inspections, remediation monitoring, and workplace program. This means that from 1 June 2020 onwards, signatories to the International Accord have agreed to fulfill their commitments in Bangladesh through their participation in the RSC.
You can find the status of the inspections program in Bangladesh on the RSC website.
Related updates
The International Accord organised a virtual side session on 13 February as a part of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector to discuss the challenges & opportunities for the recently launched Pakistan Accord.
Accord Steering Committee member brands BESTSELLER, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group, and PVH Corp. have signed the Pakistan Accord.
Signatories to the International Accord are establishing a new workplace health and safety program in Pakistan covering signatories’ garment and textile suppliers.
Building on the Bangladesh Accord’s progress, garment brands and global unions reach agreement on new, expanded worker safety pact.
Follow us on social media
RSC: Status of Safety Committee and Safety Training (SCST) Program in Bangladesh
Updates on programs in Bangladesh
Safety Committee and Safety Training (SCST) Program
Safety Committee and Safety Training (SCST) Program
On 1 June 2020, the functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh transitioned to the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC). The RSC inherited all operations, staff, infrastructure, and functions of the Accord Office in Bangladesh; and continues with factory inspections, remediation monitoring, and workplace program. This means that from 1 June 2020 onwards, signatories to the International Accord have agreed to fulfill their commitments in Bangladesh through their participation in the RSC.
You can find the status of the Safety Committee and Safety Training (SCST) Program in Bangladesh on RSC’s website.
Related updates
The International Accord organised a virtual side session on 13 February as a part of the OECD Forum on Due Diligence in the Garment and Footwear Sector to discuss the challenges & opportunities for the recently launched Pakistan Accord.
Accord Steering Committee member brands BESTSELLER, C&A, H&M, Inditex, Otto Group, and PVH Corp. have signed the Pakistan Accord.
Signatories to the International Accord are establishing a new workplace health and safety program in Pakistan covering signatories’ garment and textile suppliers.
Building on the Bangladesh Accord’s progress, garment brands and global unions reach agreement on new, expanded worker safety pact.
Follow us on social media