In a significant move for worker safety, 48 leading brands have committed to a groundbreaking International Accord for Health and Safety in the Garment and Textile Industry.
The legally binding program, established in November, aims to ensure the safety of factories within the garment supply chain. Notable signatories include industry giants, marking a critical step toward elevating safety standards across the sector.
The accord, initiated shortly after the expiration of the previous program on November 6, is an extension of three prior agreements that have set the industry benchmark since the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013.
Covering countries like Bangladesh and Pakistan, where unsafe working conditions persist, the accord's impact is poised to expand. With an initial three-year term and an automatic extension, the program is a pivotal response to the prevailing issue of workplace fatalities and injuries.
However, major brands, including Levi’s, IKEA, Amazon, Walmart, Decathlon, and ASDA, have yet to commit, jeopardizing the safety of their workers. Clean Clothes Campaign emphasizes the accord's success in reducing incidents and urges these brands to prioritize their workers' safety by joining the program.
Failure to sign means denying access to crucial training and complaint mechanisms, leaving workers reliant on inadequate social auditing. The campaign warns that without commitment, worker lives remain at risk.
