The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (the Accord), a European agency for factory inspection and remediation will stay in Bangladesh at least for one more month as the Supreme Court deferred the hearing to February 18. A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after a hearing yesterday (Monday).The apex court also fixed the date for further hearing ona leave-to-appeal petition filed by the agency on that day. The apex court adjourned the hearing as both parties will talk about Accord’s functioning. Meanwhile, Accord can continue work.The apex court on December 18 had fixed Monday (January 21) for further hearing on the issue and extended the tenure of Accord till the hearing date.Earlier on December 6, the SC extended the tenure of Accord till December 10 (Monday) and also fixed the date for further hearing of an appeal filed by the agency, Accord.The appeal was filed challenging a High Court directive that asked Accord to stop its activities after November 30.Accord conducts inspection and remediation activities for more than 200 global clothing retailers and brands in the country since its arrival in the country, five years ago, after the collapse of Rana Plaza, that accommodated five different garment factories, at Savar.The Accord, a five-year independent, legally binding agreement between global brands and retailers and trade unions designed to build a safe and healthy Bangladeshi Ready Made Garment (RMG) Industry was signed on 15 May 2013.The agreement was signed in the immediate aftermath of the Rana Plaza building collapse that led to the death of more than 1100 people and injured more than 2000.
