17 October 2017

Trade unions...hailed a landmark ruling allowing complaints to proceed against two global fasion brands for allegedly violating an agreement to improve builiding and fire safetly in garment factories in Bangladesh.

The two cases will be the first that the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague judges under the [Bangladesh] Accord...

The complaints allege that the two brands failed to compel their suppliers to improve their facilities within the mandatory deadlines, and did not help them to cover the costs to do so...

The names of the two fashion brands accused of breaking the agreement must remain confidential, according to the PCA, which ruled...that the claims were admissible and within [the PCA's] jurisdiction. The court will judge the cases in March 2018.