Swedish multinational clothing retailer H&M (Hennes & Mauritz AB), known for its fast-fashion clothing lines for men, women, teenagers and children, which is also the largest apparel buyer from Bangladesh (purchases about US$5 billion of products annually from 255 factories), has reiterated that remediation work in factories from which it sources its readymade garments has progressed significantly.
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In a statement issued recently, the retail giant maintained that “remediation is showing progress” and added that it is working closely with global union federation IndustriALL to further expedite the process.
Remediation in the RMG factories H&M sources from was initially delayed reportedly, in part, due to import delays of upgraded safety equipment as well as a shortage of technical expertise needed to conduct detailed engineering assessments, planning and submissions of drawings and installation of technical equipment.
The statement underlined, “All factories producing for H&M should be safe and all workers should feel safe at their workplace. These are key concerns for H&M.” It further added that “in general there was a need for improving the fire and safety in Bangladesh, a country where poor electrical installations and bad maintenance are common”.
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“As a consequence, the textile industry is now undergoing substantial transformation, and is now converting to Western safety standards,” the statement added
It may be mentioned here that H&M is one of the 200 signatories of The Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, a five-year independent and legally binding agreement between global brands and trade unions, designed to build a safe and healthy Bangladeshi garment industry.
“With this commitment, we are able — together with other companies, global trade unions, employers’ organisations and the Bangladeshi Government — to actively influence and contribute to improved workplace safety in the textile industry,” the H&M communiqué maintained.
