Unions accuse brands of empty promises over Bangladesh Accord

AMSTERDAM – Global unions accused global fashion brands of “empty promises” over proposals to extend the Bangladesh Accord as they this week gave notice to withdraw their involvement with its successor, the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC), from 1 June.

UNI Global Union and IndustriALL Global Union, the labour signatories of the Bangladesh Accord, have – along with other rights groups and NGOs – been lobbying brands to sign up to an extension of the Bangladesh Accord beyond the end of May, when its remit comes to a complete end in Bangladesh. They have also called for brands to support the introduction of Accord-like bodies in other garment sourcing hubs.