Tell Abercrombie & Fitch: Don’t Abandon Workers
In April 2013, all eyes turned to Bangladesh following the horrific Rana Plaza building collapse. This preventable disaster left 1,134 garment workers dead, and over 2,000 injured. In the aftermath of the tragedy, global brands, trade unions and worker rights advocates launched the Accord on Fire and Building Safety, a legally-binding agreement to improve workplace safety for garment workers in Bangladesh. As a result of union and activist pressure, 220 brands and retailers signed onto the agreement.
The Accord has improved safety for 2 million garment workers across 1,600 factories. But the Accord can’t stop there – ongoing work is still needed to protect workers’ lives.
The original Accord expired on May 31, 2018. Over 175 companies, including H&M, Zara, American Eagle Outfitters, have signed on to a 3-year continuation of the program – so why did Abercrombie & Fitch fail to sign the new Accord?
The 2018 Accord, which thus far covers over 1,250 factories, features notable improvements to the original. These include a mandate that factories pay severance when they close or relocate due to safety issues, protections for union members who face retaliation from their employer when they advocate for improved safety, and enhancements to the dispute resolution mechanism, which holds brands accountable to their commitments.
Help us demand that Abercrombie & Fitch sign the 2018 Accord to protect the workers who make their clothes!
Resources:
Which companies have signed the 2018 Accord and which haven't
