International Health and Safety Accord

Gap signs Pakistan Accord; other brands must join effort to protect workers’ lives

Photo: HBWWF, NTUF

Gap Inc., owner of Athleta, Banana Republic, Gap and Old Navy brands, has become the 65th company to sign the Pakistan Health and Safety Accord, but other major North American brands and retailers whose products are made in Pakistan have been slow to commit to this life-saving initiative. 

Ten years after groundbreaking factory safety pact signed, major fashion brands still refuse to join

Photo: Solidarity action in Pakistan on the ten year anniversary of the
Rana Plaza collapse (HBWWF, NTUF)

Ten years ago today, apparel companies forced into action by the Rana Plaza factory collapse finally signed a binding agreement with local and global unions to protect Bangladeshi garment workers, with civil society organizations as witnesses.

Now the third iteration of the programme is supported by almost 200 brands and the life-saving work is expanding to Pakistan. Yet there are still brands who will not support factory safety with the proven industry's best standard.

Pages