BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology (BUFT)

Department of Textile Engineering & Management

Assignment Topic: Accord and Alliance: Addressing Worker Safety in the

Wake of Tragedy

Submitted by Submitted to

Sorder Mohammad Al Amin Rakiful Alam

ID: 201-010-811 Lecturer, BGMEA University of
Section: 1 Fashion & Technology (BUFT)

Submission Date: 2/10/2024

Introduction:

The collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh in 2013 served as a harsh wake-up call for the garment
industry, which is infamous for its intricate supply networks and frequently concealed working
conditions. The Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh (Accord) and the Alliance for
Bangladesh Worker Safety (Alliance) are two significant efforts that sprang from this tragedy,
which claimed over 1,100 lives and injured hundreds more.

This assignment explores the background, goals, methods, and results of these two significant
projects before evaluating their influence on worker safety in Bangladesh's apparel sector.

Background:

Before the Rana Plaza collapse, safety audits in Bangladeshi garment factories were fragmented
and often ineffective. The tragedy brought global attention to the systemic issues plaguing the
industry, including fire safety hazards, structural weaknesses, and poor working conditions.

Enter the Accord and Alliance:

Faced with international pressure and consumer outrage, two distinct initiatives emerged:

● Accord: Originally spearheaded by trade unions and European retailers, the Accord
sought legally binding pledges from participating companies to impose stringent
construction and fire safety regulations in Bangladeshi factories. It made use of impartial
inspectors, open reporting, and monetary penalties for noncompliance.
● Alliance: Supported by North American companies, the Alliance took a more
cooperative stance, cooperating with many parties to enhance safety via education,
capacity building, and factory cleanup. It was criticized for having no procedures in place
for legally binding enforcement.

Structure and Functioning:

● Accord: Works with serious areas of strength for construction, including a board,
secretariat, and free examiners. It requires corrective action plans, conducts extensive
factory inspections, and imposes financial penalties for noncompliance.
● Alliance: uses a strategy that includes brands, unions, NGOs, and the government of
Bangladesh. Through grants and collaborative efforts, it focuses on technical assistance,
training, and factory remediation.
Outcomes and Impact:

Accord and Alliance have made significant strides in improving garment factory safety in
Bangladesh.

● Accord: Achieved high compliance rates and completed the remediation of over 1,600
factories before transitioning to a monitoring role in 2021. It is credited with pushing the
industry towards more robust safety standards.
● Alliance: Played a crucial role in facilitating dialogue and capacity building, contributing
to broader industry improvements. It transitioned to a new initiative focusing on broader
sustainability issues in 2020.

Critical Analysis and Remaining Challenges:

Despite undeniable progress, challenges remain:

● Sustainability of improvements: Can high standards be maintained after program

transitions?
● Coverage: Only a fraction of Bangladeshi garment factories were covered by these
initiatives.
● Beyond Bangladesh: Similar safety concerns exist in other garment-producing countries.

key differences between the Accord and Alliance

Aspect Accord Alliance

Formation 2013 2013

Agreement Type Legally Binding Voluntary

Participants Global brands, trade unions North American retailers, brands

Independent inspections by Inspections conducted with member

Inspection Process
experts companies

Transparency Findings publicly disclosed Less transparent compared to Accord

 Remediation
Mandates corrective action plans Requires remediation of safety hazards
Requirement

Initial 5-year tenure transitioned

Duration Concluded operations in 2018
to RSC

Transitioned to RMG Member companies transitioned to RSC

Post-Termination
Sustainability Council or other initiatives

Current Status and Future Headings

Accord: Following its underlying term, the Understanding changed to the RMG Manageability
Gathering (RSC) to proceed with its work past 2018. The RSC intends to work on broader
sustainability issues and expand its reach beyond Bangladesh.

Alliance: The Collusion finished up its tasks in 2018, with part organizations changing to the
RSC or different drives. Its heritage remembers enhancements for industrial facility security and
the foundation of associations for progressing support.

Challenges and Criticisms

● Accord: Despite its successes, the Accord faced challenges related to factory
owners' resistance to change, delays in remediation, and legal disputes.
Furthermore, its initial five-year tenure raised concerns about sustainability.
● Alliance: Critics have raised concerns about the Alliance's voluntary nature,
potential conflicts of interest among member companies, and lack of
transparency in reporting findings.

Conclusion:

The Agreement and Union play played instrumental parts in upgrading well-being principles and
working circumstances in Bangladesh's article of clothing industry. While the two drives have
confronted difficulties and reactions, they have irrefutably driven positive change and brought
issues to light about the significance of corporate obligation. Pushing ahead, supported endeavors
from all partners, including brands, makers, states, and common society, will be pivotal to
guarantee proceeded with progress and defend the freedoms and prosperity of article of clothing
laborers in Bangladesh and then some.