Bangladesh
Bangladesh Safety Agreement on Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry
A decade of progress in workplace safety in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Safety Agreement
In 2023, signatories to the International Accord decided to renew their commitments in Bangladesh by negotiating the Bangladesh Agreement on Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry (Bangladesh Safety Agreement) as an Addendum to the International Accord.
The Bangladesh Safety Agreement is a legally binding agreement between garment brands and trade unions to ensure worker health and safety in the Bangladeshi textile and garment industry. The signatory parties to Bangladesh Safety Program commit to the principles enshrined in the 2023 International Accord, and as stipulated in the 2013, 2018 and the 2021 Accord agreements on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.
The inspections and remediation program, Safety Committee and Safety Training, Complaints Mechanism, and reporting and disclosure requirements of the Accord will continue to be implemented in Bangladesh by the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), which was established in June 2020.
The RMG Sustainability Council (RSC)
Purpose
The RMG Sustainability Council (RSC)is an independent, national, and tri-partite safety monitoring organisation for the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh. On 1 June 2020, the RSC inherited the operations, staff, policies, and infrastructure of the local Bangladesh Accord office. Signatories to the International Accord have agreed to fulfil their commitments in Bangladesh through their participation in the RSC. The Secretariat in Amsterdam supports, coordinates, and liaises with the RSC to ensure that the brand obligations under the Accord agreement are fulfilled.
Governance
The RSC is a tri-partite organisation governed by brands and retailers, trade unions, and manufacturing associations. Its Board of Directors consists of 18 representatives, 6 from each RSC member organisation.
Programs
The RSC continues to implement the safety inspections and remediation program, safety committee and safety training program, and the complaints mechanism previously implemented by the Accord in Bangladesh.
Cooperation between the RSC and International Accord
BRANDS
FACTORIES
WORKERS
Origins in Bangladesh
In 2013, the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh started as a 5-year agreement to pursue workplace safety in the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh. The agreement was initially signed by 40 brands and retailers, 2 global trade unions, IndustriALL Global Union & UNI Global Union, and 8 Bangladesh trade unions in the immediate aftermath of the April 2013 Rana Plaza building collapse that killed more than 1,000 workers and critically injured thousands more.
2018 Transition Accord
By July 2015, the number of Accord company signatories had risen to 220 and by May 2018, the joint efforts of Accord stakeholders had significantly contributed to safer workplaces for over 2 million garment factory workers in Bangladesh.
To maintain and expand the achievements of the 2013 Accord, over 190 brands and retailers renewed their commitments by signing the 2018 Transition Accord with the global trade unions. The 2018 Accord lasted 3 years and included a commitment to transition the implementation of Accord programs to a national tripartite organisation now known as the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC).
2021 International Accord
In 2021 the Accord signatories renewed their partnership and established the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry. This agreement confirms the continued commitment of signatories to support workplace safety programs in Bangladesh through cooperation with the RSC and further commits to establishing workplace safety programs in other countries based on the outcome of feasibility studies. Over 175 company signatories signed the International Accord in the first year of this agreement with an additional commitment to exploring the scope of the agreement to address Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) issues in the textile and garment industry.
brands
factories
workers
Status of factories in Accord programs
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Search here for inspection reports, Corrective Action Plans, and training status of every Accord covered factory.
Remediation Status
Remediation Progress Rate
Training program status
Updates on programs in Bangladesh
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