Your report “Bangladesh clothing factory safety deal in danger, warn unions” (22 April) is extremely disappointing to us. The Ready-Made Garment Sustainability Council (RSC) is governed by an equal number of representatives from brands, manufacturers and trade unions. All policies and procedures developed by the accord have been carried over to the RSC. In addition, the RSC is a consensus-based, decision-making body without any majority voting.
Since September 2020, the RSC has completed 1,821 inspections in 904 factories and performed 75 factories’ certifications independently, whereas in seven years the accord issued recognition letters to 280 factories. The progress is visible and is endorsed and appreciated by the brands.
The RSC is fully committed to a high level of transparency to allow all relevant stakeholders to monitor remediation, and there has been not a single proven case of any manipulation.
The RSC is a significant step toward building Bangladesh’s own capacity to take care of the workplace safety, and it is not going to be commanded by any external authority. Any other extension or new accord will not be a part of any initiative related to Bangladesh safety going forward.
Faruque Hassan
President, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association
