Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWalmart And Gap Refuse To Sign Broad Safety Agreement In Bangladesh
Walmart And Gap Refuse To Sign Broad Safety Agreement In Bangladesh
By Bryce Covert on May 15, 2013 at 10:47 am
After six major European retailers announced on Monday and Tuesday that they would sign onto a broad safety upgrade agreement in Bangladesh, American companies Walmart and Gap announced that they would not sign on. Gap has been the most outspoken about its opposition, reports the New York Times:
By far, Gap has been the most vocal company opposed to the plan, expressing concerns that overzealous American lawyers could seize on the agreement to sue American companies on behalf of aggrieved factory workers in Bangladesh perhaps in the event of a factory fire. Gap said it supported much of the plan, but it proposed changes that would greatly limit any legal liability for a company that violated the plan.
Walmart cited requirements, including governance and dispute resolution mechanisms in the agreement as its reason not to sign on, saying they are appropriately left to retailers, suppliers and government, and are unnecessary to achieve fire and safety goals.
The company plans to instead use its own safety plan. It began its own factory inspections of 279 Bangladesh facilities this year after the fire in November that killed 110 and it will release the names and inspection information as well as provide fire safety training for every worker in the factories that produce its goods. The inspection results will be posted on June 1.
Labor groups criticized Walmarts plan, which is voluntary. The broader plan signed by the other companies is legally binding. Labor groups characterized Walmarts proposal as merely aspirational.
more...
http://thinkprogress.org/economy/2013/05/15/2013441/walmart-gap-bangladesh/
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
3 replies, 809 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (3)
ReplyReply to this post
3 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Walmart And Gap Refuse To Sign Broad Safety Agreement In Bangladesh (Original Post)
babylonsister
May 2013
OP
mucifer
(23,530 posts)1. Evil greedy bastards!
ruffburr
(1,190 posts)2. We Need-
A list of those corps that will not sign-on to labor safety everywhere in the world and Boycott these people Until they start living up to a standard befitting Humanity.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)3. ttt