Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety, a platform of North American brands and retailers, has urged all political parties to resolve the continuing political standoff through dialogue.
“We call upon all parties who are committed to a vibrant and successful Bangladesh to resolve differences through dialogue rather than violence,” the Alliance said in its latest report, released on March 9.
It also said the Alliance is concerned that our efforts have been slowed during the current violence, turmoil and uncertainty in Bangladesh.
After the Rana Plaza building collapse, which killed more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers, in April 2013, North American retailers including Walmart and Gap, formed the Alliance undertaking a five-year plan, which set timelines and accountability for inspections and training and workers’ empowerment programmes.
The initiative started inspection in the garment factories in February 2014 and completed primary safety assessment of its listed 600 factories in July that year.
The Alliance is now working with factories to develop detailed corrective action plans and complete the remediation process and targeted to complete all remediation requirements and final inspections of its 600 supplier factories in the country by July 2017.
“We are committed to meeting our ambitious goals and will continue to do our part to protect workers, upgrade factories and help build a sustainable and safe RMG sector,” the report noted.
BBN/SSR/AD-13Mar15-9:04 pm (BST)