The extension of the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh by three more years was unexpected as the decision was taken unilaterally by the trade unions, retailers and global brands, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said yesterday.“The signatories could have discussed (it) with the stakeholders before taking such an important decision,” Ahmed told journalists at his secretariat office in Dhaka after a meeting with garment manufacturers and top diplomats.The accord’s signatories could have sent a proposal to the government, he said. “I asked the diplomats to send the extension of the accord as a proposal. We will discuss the proposal and then take the decision,” said Ahmed.The diplomats included US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat, Canadian High Commissioner Benoît-Pierre Laramée and EU Ambassador Pierre Mayaudon. They declined to comment.Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Siddiqur Rahman and Mohammadi Group Managing Director Rubana Huq attended the meeting.The five-year Accord was signed in May 2013. It is a legally binding agreement for over 200 European retailers and brands along with the unions to inspect, remediate and monitor aspects related to structural, fire and electrical safety in 1,800 garment factories.The extension came at the OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business Conduct in Paris on June 30. It features additional commitments to ensure workers’ right to freedom of association.“The extension…is unilateral. The signatories should have discussed (it) with us,” Rahman said.Huq said the extension took them by surprise. “The government is also not aware of the extension.”The decision of the extension should be taken in collaboration with others, she said.Local factory owners say proper implementation of the amended labour law would protect workers’ rights and local union leaders would play a vital role in formation of trade unions at factory level and in ensuring freedom of association.They called for strengthening of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments and the Remediation Coordination Cell (RCC) for fortifying workplace safety and better labour rights.“We were truly hopeful that all parties would unitedly work together and bring about positive changes to the sector,” BGMEA said in a reply to a mail of the Accord’s steering committee. The Daily Star obtained a copy of the reply.“Therefore, the news of a version 2 of Accord (content of which was completely unknown to us) comes as a surprise and may undermine our level of collaboration,” it said.The garment makers platform duly recognises the enormous contribution of Accord and Alliance in the industry during the remediation phase.“Thus, today, we look forward to duly working with you as an important stakeholder in your journey in Bangladesh. But we also strongly believe that this journey cannot be yours or ours alone and that it must be collaborative, trusted and respectful.”“If as we understand one of the objectives of this second phase of the Accord is to contribute to building sustainable capacity in Bangladesh, then this can only be done by involving the government and local stakeholders in framing this approach,” BGMEA said.“We hope you will engage in consultation with us and the government and we also hope that Accord version 2 remains flexible to ensure all of us being a part of a unified vision of improving the fate of all who work within the industry.”
