The issue as to whether the European buyers’ platform Accord on Fire and Building Safety should continue to be in Bangladesh, has hit the headlines once again following a reported call from a French auditing entity asking the Government of Bangladesh to extend the Accord’s tenure in the country even as a court continues hearing the platform’s plea on further tenure extension.
As per media reports, Initiative for Compliance and Sustainability (ICS) – a multi-sectoral initiative of social and environmental audits, including textile and clothing from France, which works in more than 60 countries to improve working conditions along global supply chains has reportedly called upon the Government to extend Accord’s tenure so as to ensure successful handover of the leadership to Remediation Coordination Cell (RCC), the local authority.
“We fear that the safety of Bangladesh readymade garment (RMG) workers could be compromised, if an effective structure is not in place for complete handover of responsibility,” reportedly maintained a ICS letter written to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, while placing the tenure extension demand on behalf of 20 France-based apparel brands and retailers, including luxury department store chain Galeries Lafayette Group, that source apparel items from Bangladesh and also members of the company.
It may be mentioned here that formed by more than 200 global clothing brands and trade unions for five years following the Rana Plaza building collapse to improve workplace safety in local RMG sector, Accord’s tenure ended last June, following which it was given an extension till November 2018.
The issue as to the further extension of its tenure is now pending with the High Court.
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
