DHAKA – In Bangladesh, the Supreme Court has now extended the tenure of Bangladesh Accord until December 17 following a decision today. A seven-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by chief justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after today’s hearing, according to local reports. The court fixed December 17 for further hearing on the issue.
This is the third time the Bangladesh Accord has been granted an extension. On December 6, the Supreme Court extended the tenure of Accord until December 10 and also fixed the date for further hearing of an appeal.
The appeal was filed challenging a High Court directive that ordered that the Accord to stop its activities after November 30. Among other arguments, the Accord claims its remediation work is far from complete and that by closing its local office in Bangladesh, it will no longer be able to properly carry out its duties.
Since then, international momentum has gathered urging Bangladesh to retain the Bangladesh Accord, including pressure from apparel brands, NGOs, MEPs and trade bodies.