Accord Gets an Extension in Bangladesh, New BGMEA President Leads Changes

On Sunday, after months of delays, the Bangladesh Supreme Court allowed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety an extension of 281 days to operate in transition in Bangladesh. The Accord, which is made up of mainly European brands and retailers, has been operational in Bangladesh to ensure worker safety after the collapse of the eight-story Rana Plaza in April 2013. The court’s decision, made after a memorandum of understanding was signed with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association earlier this month, is a big move for the association’s newly elected management. The team is led by Rubana Huq, who stands out in the history of the organization as its first woman president. Elected in April, she has completed less than a month in office, but has charted out the way ahead — faced with labor protests about the wage board that came into effect last November, issues related to the mass firing of labor and the changing situation with the two groups of international brands and retailers that have been working in Bangladesh for the last five years to improve factory conditions in its apparel industry. Huq is also the managing director of the Mohammadi Group, whose garment production turnover exceeds $90 million.

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from WWDWWD http://bit.ly/2QexYRc