Benetton agrees to donate to Rana Plaza Trust Fund

Benetton, a leading Italian fashion brand, has agreed to contribute to the Rana Plaza Trust Fund to compensate the factory collapse victims, nearly two years after the industrial disaster that killed more than 1,100 workers.
The move came after more than one million people signed a petition on a campaigning site - Avaaz, and following pressure from rights groups, such as Clean Clothes Campaign and Labour Behind the Label.
"We are pleased to announce step two of United Colors of Benetton's engagement for the victims of the Rana Plaza tragedy of April 2013," the company said in a statement issued on Friday.
In step one, within one month of the tragedy, Benetton immediately launched its own support programme in partnership with the Bangladesh-based global NGO - BRAC - to support 280 victims and family members.
Step two will be a further contribution, the company said, adding that this time it will be done through the Rana Plaza Trust Fund, which has been established in the meantime.
Benetton explained that 'an independent third party is working to define the principles of its fair and equitable share of compensation, since till date; it has not been possible to set forth such principle for any brand.'
The amount of this additional contribution will be made official as soon as the independent third party will communicate its conclusions, in the next few weeks, and in any case no later than April 24, 2015, it added.
"This second, further initiative is part of a broader programme of further social engagement by the Group for 2015, the details of which will be announced in the coming days."
However, campaigners urge Benetton to pay $5 million into the Fund - a proportional amount given the clear association between Benetton and one of the Rana Plaza factories as well as the huge profits made by the company.
Welcoming the move with caution, IndustriALL and UNI highlighted some outstanding issues, including delay in its payment, confirming the amount, and clarifying the reason why it pulled out its involvement before the trust fund was set up, which urgently need to be resolved with regards to Benetton's payment.
"We are pleased that at last Benetton has promised to pay into the Rana Plaza Trust Fund. Now, it's time for the company to show us the colour of their money," IndustriALL General Secretary Jyrki Raina said.
"We call on Benetton to do what's morally right and compensate with compassion. We expect to see a significant contribution to the Rana Plaza Trust Fund by Benetton in keeping with a major brand that sourced from Rana Plaza, and has a considerable investment in Bangladesh."
munni_fe@yahoo.com