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No chance for Accord to stay after Nov 30: Tofail

FE Report | November 13, 2018 00:00:00


Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed reiterated on Monday that the tenure of Accord could not be extended after the current month.

"They (Accord) have no chance to remain here after November 30 as there is a High Court order in this regard," he added.

"We can't go against the court decision," he noted.

There is a High Court directive to the Accord that asked the platform to depart from the country by November 30 this year.

He criticised Accord's recent move to inform its signatories that they would be required to terminate business relation with some 532 factories that are already in its escalation process over timely remediation failure.

Accord told its signatories that, if the restraining order is not lifted, these supplier factories will no longer be eligible to produce for any Accord signatory brand.

"We cannot accept this. Can they do this," the minister questioned at a closing ceremony of a project held at a city hotel.

The project titled Step Up was launched in 2015 for seven factories to enhance efficiency and productivity and reduce lead time.

Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), and its vice president Mohammed Nadir, among others, were present.

Accord has inspected some 1600 garment factories and handed over responsibilities of only some 20 of the listed factories though they are here for over five years, the minister added.

No industrial accident took place in Bangladesh over the last five years as the factory owners are now aware and have improved the workplace safety in line with the recommendations by Accord and Alliance, he said.

On one hand, they informed buyers not to buy from about 500 factories and on the other hand, they are trying to extend its tenure, he added.

Condemning the Accord, Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry, said the reality is very hard.

About 70 per cent customers decide on low prices of the goods not based on quality, he added.

"So we will ask our buyers not to show your muscle and engage with us," he added.

Without having any professional registration or licences, "we have allowed you to practise here and improve fire and structural safety in garment industry here," he noted.

"But, still we have seen the reckless attitude. We condem them. That's not acceptable in a sovereign country," he further said.

"Do not show your red eyes," he said.

Brands and retailers must stop asking unrealistic and shorter delivery time, said Thomas Klausen, chief executive officer of Dansk Mode & Textile. "They must stop making the last minute changes," he said.

If long term collaboration is not made, the battle between buyers and manufacturers will continue, he added.

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