RMG exporters to float new platform replacing Accord, Alliance

Published in the New Age on 30, July 2o17

The country’s apparel exporters have planned a new initiative, Samman (respect), comprising the government, BGMEA, ILO, trade unions and global brands to replace buyers’ groups the Accord and the Alliance as their readymade garment sector safety initiatives expire in July next year.

With the consent of government high-ups, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association has drafted a structure of the platform. According to the BGMEA leaders, the trade body also informed some top global buyers of the initiative.

According to the BGMEA leaders, the trade body also informed some top global buyers of the initiative.

Sources said the buyers agreed to their proposal in principle and the issue would be discussed with the BGMEA’s members in an emergency general meeting to be held today.

The BGMEA would convene the meeting to seek opinion from its members about the extension of Accord and the draft structure of the new initiative would be shared with them.

According to the draft, the prime minister’s office would choose an ombudsman to ensure transparency in the process and address corruption, negligence or biasness if there is any in the
initiative as buyers want a transparent, credible and trusted body.

The move came following the recent agreement between global trade unions and apparel brands and buyers, signatories of Accord, to extend the platform’s activities in the country for three more years.

After Rana Plaza building collapse, which killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, in April 2013, European retailers formed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and North American
retailers formed the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety undertaking a five-year plan which set timeframes and accountability for safety inspections and training and
workers’ empowerment programmes.