In a new development that has ensured that Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh would continue to operate in the country at least till December 17, the country’s Supreme Court on December 10 deferred the hearing on Accord’s extension plea till December 17.
An order to this end was passed by the seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain reportedly following a time prayer moved by Accord’s Advocate-on-record Sufia Khatun.
“I sought more time with reason that the chief counsel for Accord Advocate AF Hassan Ariff could not place arguments yesterday as he could not appear to the court for his physical illness.” – Advocate-on-record Sufia Khatun
Executive Director of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh Rob Wayss reportedly maintained that Accord did not pray for time.
“Please note that the Accord lawyers did not pray for time at today’s Appellate Court hearing.” – Rob Wayss, Executive Director of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, Bangladesh
It may be mentioned here that on December 6, the apex court extended the tenure of Accord and also fixed December 10 for further hearing of Accord’s appeal.
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,” reportedly underlined Deputy Director of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh Joris Oldenziel earlier, adding, “The premature shut down of the Accord, leaving workers in unsafe circumstances, would jeopardize the brands’ ability to source from a safe industry.”