26 November 2018 Soon another Rana Plaza? – Government of Bangladesh against the extension of ACCORD Photo: © Kristof VadionBonn. Five years of successful work are coming to an end. The Government of Bangladesh opposes the continued work of ACCORD, the agreement on fire safety and building safety in Bangladesh. The call ‘Never again Rana Plaza!’ is still echoing. Nevertheless, the current decision of the Supreme Court of Bangladesh is intended to put an end to the further work of ACCORD as of 30 November 2018. "The ACCORD is a credible and effective programme that has ensured around 1600 safe export factories. But the situation in many factories is not yet certain, as European buyers see it, says Gisela Burckhardt, CEO of FEMNET and member of the Clean Clothes Campaign. FEMNET and the Clean Clothes Campaing (CCC) campaign therefore call on companies and the Federal Government and the European Commission to intervene more clearly. Gisela Burckhardt warns: "For example, the EU could suspend the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for Bangladesh, which allows Bangladesh to export duty-free to the EU market. The EU needs to act, not just talk." In addition, companies placing orders in Bangladesh could make this conditional on the continuation of ACCORD. Kalpona Akter from the Bangladesh Worker Solidarity Centre (BCWS), a partner of FEMNET, also highlights the high effectiveness of the agreement. “We need the ACCORD, because it has brought about enormous changes”. The safety of the workers has been demonstrably increased by the ACCORD. "A clear signal is needed so that the work of the last years and the structures created are not turned into a niece", says Artemisa , coordinator of the urgent actions of the Clean Clothes Campaign. On 15 November, the European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the government of Bangladesh to stop the multiple violations of human rights such as obstruction of the right to freedom of association and repression of trade unionists. In December 2016, 34 trade unionists were imprisoned and more than 1,600 workers were laid off after protests for a wage to life. The continuation of the ACCORD was also urgently recommended. FEMNET and the Clean Clothes Campaign call on politicians and companies to send a clear signal. The Alliance for Sustainable Textiles must also show its flag here. For more information: Statement of the Bangladesh Accord Witness Signatories on the Imminent Expulsion of the Only Credible Factory Inspection Program in Bangladesh EU should make a stand towards the Bangladeshi government to improve labour conditions Implementation of the Bangladesh Compact – Technical Status Report Contact: FEMNET e.V., Katharina Edinger - Press and Public Relations Kaiser-Friedrich-Straße 11, 53113 Bonn E-mail This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., Tel. 0228- 90917309,0176-28527075 FEMNET e.V. is a non-profit women's rights organization based in Bonn. FEMNET fights against the exploitation of women in the clothing industry of the Global South. The organization encourages companies to ensure compliance with social standards throughout the supply chain and the policy of creating binding rules for business conduct. FEMNET is a member of the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), which promotes fair working conditions in clothing and sporting goods production. It is an alliance of campaigns in 15 European countries with a network of over 250 partner organisations worldwide.
