The platform of North American brands and retailers, Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, recently declared end of its tenure in Bangladesh, claimed media reports.
The retailers’ body announced its decision in its fifth and final annual report presented while underlining that from 2019, brands would engage a local company to monitor safety in the factories from which they source.
“In these past five years, the Alliance, our member brands and the owners of Alliance-affiliated factories have achieved unprecedented progress toward the goal of improving safety in Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry, while simultaneously helping to solidify Bangladesh’s standing as a global leader in garment exports. Jim Moriarty, Executive Director, Alliance
“Maintaining this progress must remain an ongoing effort—and for the member brands, it would remain a top priority long beyond the Alliance’s departure…Beginning in 2019, most Alliance member brands plan to work through a locally-based organisation to collectively monitor safety in the factories from which they source.” – Jim Moriarty, Executive Director, Alliance
It may be mentioned here that following the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 24, 2013, that killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, North American buyers and retailers formed the Alliance undertaking a five-year plan, which set timeframes and accountability for inspections, trainings and worker empowerment programmes in Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector.
