Pakistan Accord - Origins
Feasibility Assessment for New Country Programs
Following a decision by the Steering Committee under the 2021 International Accord, the Accord Secretariat conducted a feasibility assessment to identify potential new country programs, guided by a defined set of criteria.
The assessment considered factors such as:
- The level of interest among brands;
- The presence and production volume of signatory brands in the country;
- Support from local stakeholders;
- The capacity of existing mechanisms to regulate workplace safety; and
- The potential to enhance health and safety standards in the garment sector.
Between October 2021 and January 2022, the Secretariat conducted brand surveys, desktop research, and in-depth interviews to evaluate brand presence and production trends in key garment-producing countries.
Pakistan as a Priority Country
Pakistan emerged as one of four priority countries identified by signatories for potential Accord expansion. Between March and November 2022, the Accord Secretariat held in-depth consultations with key stakeholders across the prioritised countries, including representatives from industry, government, trade unions, brands, and civil society.
In response to the strong interest expressed by stakeholders in Pakistan, the Accord Steering Committee agreed to move forward with drafting a framework for a potential program in the country. This framework served as a foundation for continued stakeholder engagement and for conducting pilot safety assessments aimed at informing the possible establishment of an inspection and remediation program within the industry.
Establishment of the Pakistan Accord
In December 2022, signatories agreed to establish a new workplace safety program in Pakistan for an initial three-year term, beginning in January 2023. The resulting agreement, the Pakistan Accord on Health & Safety in the Textile & Garment Industry, defines the program’s scope and key provisions to which signatories are committed.
The Pakistan Accord operates as a Country-Specific Safety Program (CSSP) Addendum under the International Accord, renewed in 2023. Initially signed for a three-year period, the agreement includes the prospect of renewal based on program outcomes and continued stakeholder support.
The program will be implemented in close collaboration with Pakistan’s government authorities and the country’s manufacturing industry, ensuring local engagement and shared responsibility for improving workplace safety.
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