Accord on Fire and Building Safety, after operating for seven years in Bangladesh, handed over charge to RMG Sustainability Council (RSC).
The RSC was formed with readymade garments (RMG) manufacturers, global brands and retailers, global unions and their Bangladeshi affiliates to carry forward the significant accomplishments made on workplace safety, said a press release on Monday.
RSC will continue with factory inspections, remediation monitoring, safety training and an independent safety and health complaints mechanism available to workers in RMG factories.
Accord, platform of more than 190 mostly Europe-based retailers, and Alliance for Bangladesh worker safety, a platform of 28-North American retailers and brands, formed after Rana Plaza building collapse for five years to improve work environment of garment factories.
BGMEA President Rubana Huq, also industry representative on RSC Board, said “RSC is an unprecedented national initiative and through our collective efforts with brands and trade unions we will make sure that Bangladesh remains one of the safest countries to source RMG products from.”
RSC will initially conduct its workplace safety programs at 1600 plus RMG factories covered under Accord, but will be envisaged to eventually cover all RMG exporting garment factories.
The RSC will operate within the regulatory framework following the laws of Bangladesh, closely cooperating with and supporting the regulatory functions of government.
Industrial Bangladesh Council General Secretary China Rahman, also trade unions representative on RSC Board, said “We will work to ensure that workers to have trust in the newly established RSC.”
Brand representative on the RSC Board, Roger Hubert said “With the establishment of RSC, brands can continue to honour their supply chain responsibilities that they have committed to through the Accord signed with the trade unions.”
“The RSC will provide the assurance that workplace safety will continue to be addressed throughout out Bangladeshi RMG supply chain,” he added.
Since mid-2013, Bangladeshi RMG factories have made significant improvements in workplace safety. Over 1200 Accord covered factories have completed more than 90 percent of remediation of their Corrective Actions Plans.
The RSC is confident and hopeful that its unique structure and commitment to collaboration will further advance a safe, healthy and sustainable RMG industry in Bangladesh which can serve as a model for the world.BSS
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