Other countries

Exploring new Accord programs

Signatories are exploring health and safety programs in major garment-producing countries.

Feasibility studies

Potential for expansion

The Secretariat conducted brand surveys, desk research, and in-depth interviews between October 2021- January 2022 to measure interest, presence, and volume of signatory brands in key garment-producing countries. Based on key findings, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and India emerged as the priority countries to carry out detailed feasibility studies on expansion. The Secretariat met with key industry, government, trade unions, brands, and civil society stakeholders in the priority countries in March-August 2022 for in-depth stakeholder consultations. Based on strong interest from stakeholders, the Steering Committee agreed to conduct pilot inspections in Pakistan as a preliminary step before starting a country program there. In December 2022 the Accord Steering Committee agreed to start a new workplace safety program in Pakistan. The Accord will continue dialogue with stakeholders in Sri Lanka, Morocco, and India to assess the feasibility of establishing other workplace programs in the coming years.

Criteria

Criteria to assess feasibility

The expansion of the International Accord’s health and safety programs to at least one of the four priority countries—Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Morocco, and India—will be based on the following criteria:

Scope of safety risks and potential impact

Interest of brands and trade unions

The presence and volume of signatory brands in the country

Gaps in existing safety regulation

Support from key local stakeholders

Opportunities for cooperation and capacity building

Costs associated with program implementation

Resources

Pakistan Accord Agreement

Explore the basis of the programs, procedures, and policies under the Pakistan Accord.

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Country Reports

Discover the reports of the main garment-producing countries in consideration for new Accord programs.

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Brand survey results

View the key takeaways from brand surveys conducted to gauge the interest of Accord signatories sourcing from major garment-producing countries.

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Updates on expansion

11 years since the Rana Plaza collapse in Bangladesh

The Accord commemorates 11 years since the Rana Plaza collapse by remembering those who perished, those who were injured, and those who continue living with the impacts of one of the worst workplace disasters in modern history.

Start of capacity building program for Pakistan Accord engineers

The capacity-building program for recently hired engineers under the Pakistan Accord has officially commenced.

Brand-Supplier meetings in Pakistan highlight collaboration opportunities on workplace health and safety

A series of recent brand-supplier meetings in Lahore and Karachi brought together Pakistan Accord signatory brands and their suppliers for discussions on enhancing occupational health and safety in the textile and garment industry.

Read the International Accord, Bangladesh Safety Program and Pakistan Accord Agreements

Explore the International Accord framework agreement and its country-specific Addendums, the Bangladesh Safety Agreement, and the Pakistan Accord.

First Safety Inspections Under the Pakistan Accord

The International Accord conducted the first round of initial inspections at factories supplying to Pakistan Accord brands in Lahore and Karachi between 16 – 28 October 2023.

Highlights: The International Accord Secretariat and signatory brands visit Pakistan

A delegation of the International Accord Secretariat and Accord signatory brands had a fruitful visit to Pakistan from 23 May to 3 June 2023.

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