abusesaffiliationarrow-downarrow-leftarrow-rightarrow-upattack-typeburgerchevron-downchevron-leftchevron-rightchevron-upClock iconclosedeletedevelopment-povertydiscriminationdollardownloademailenvironmentexternal-linkfacebookfiltergenderglobegroupshealthC4067174-3DD9-4B9E-AD64-284FDAAE6338@1xinformation-outlineinformationinstagraminvestment-trade-globalisationissueslabourlanguagesShapeCombined Shapeline, chart, up, arrow, graphLinkedInlocationmap-pinminusnewsorganisationotheroverviewpluspreviewArtboard 185profilerefreshIconnewssearchsecurityPathStock downStock steadyStock uptagticktooltiptwitteruniversalityweb
Story

16 Jan 2018

Bangladesh: Petition urges Abercrombie & Fitch, Mango & Topshop to sign on to 2018 Accord on Fire and Building Safety; incl. co responses

The Bangladesh Accord, created after the Rana Plaza disaster in April, 2013, is a legally binding agreement to improve workplace safety for garment workers in Bangladesh. Reports show that independent inspections, public disclosure, trade union agreements, worker empowerment, and democratically elected committees have made workplaces safer for two million garment workers in over 1,600 factories. 

The first Accord is set to expire in May 2018, with a second due to start immediately thereafter. Over 50 companies have already signed on to the new Accord, although several large brands such as Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F), Mango and Topshop have not yet. Green America therefore launched a petition to urge these three companies to renew their commitments to garment workers by signing on to the 2018 Transition Accord on Fire and Building Safety. The International Labor Rights Forum is also targeting A&F with a petition. Organizations such as the Clean Clothes Campaign and United Students Against Sweatshops are amplifying these advocacy efforts. 

The Business & Human Rights Resource Centre asked the three brands named to respond to the petition. Mango's response is included below. Abercrombie & Fitch and Topshop have not responded.