After deferring the scheduled hearing on December 17 pertaining to an appeal filed by the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh to extend its stay in the country, the Supreme Court is likely resume hearing today.
As per media reports, the apex court reportedly deferred the date as the judges wanted to know more about the conditions set by the Government for further extension of the Accord’s presence here.
It may be mentioned here that the Government has set eight conditions including the one which reportedly bars the platform from interfering in the labour issues in Bangladesh.
The European brands/retailers’ platform set up to improve factory safety in Bangladesh in the wake of infamous Rana Plaza collapse in April 2013 had earlier warned the industry about sourcing squeeze in case it had to depart the country after November 30.
“The consequences of a closure of the Accord liaison office in Bangladesh will be significant, immediate, and damaging. The premature shut down of the Accord, leaving workers in unsafe circumstances, would jeopardize the brands’ ability to source from a safe industry.” – Joris Oldenziel, Deputy Director, Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh
During yesterday’s hearing Additional Attorney General Murad Reza reportedly told the Supreme Court that the Government would permit Accord to stay on in Bangladesh if the agency fulfils the eight conditions set by it.
However, the Accord reportedly wants to unconditionally stay in Bangladesh and continue its inspection and remediation monitoring.