The Pakistan Accord, an extension of Bangladesh’s 2021 International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry, now has 54 signatories, according to media reports.
Hugo Boss, Solo Invest, Uhlsport, and Kmart Australia became the latest companies to sign the Pakistan Accord, joining the likes of Bestseller, C&A, H&M, and Inditex in a commitment to garment worker safety.
The initiative has been open to signature by global brands and retailers since 16 January 2023 and is a legally binding agreement between IndustriALL Global Union and UNI Global Union, and garment brands and retailers for an initial term of three years, starting in 2023.
It includes all key features of the International Accord while promoting workplace and building safety by undertaking independent inspections and remediation procedures, and by providing independent complaints mechanisms and training programs to employees.
The International Accord is based on the 2013 Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, which was established in the immediate aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse, and has 197 signatories.
On January 23, 2023, members of the Accord Steering Committee released a statement to reaffirm their commitment to the Accord and to encourage more brands to join:
“The Pakistan Accord provides an opportunity both to increase the visibility of the efforts already made by many manufacturers to invest in fire and building safety measures in recent years and deepen and expand them throughout Pakistan’s garment and textile sector, making it an increasingly attractive option for buyers across the globe.
“We encourage all brands around the world to sign the Pakistan Accord agreement and join us in our collective commitment to raise the safety standards at supplier factories in Pakistan,” the statement read.
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