The International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry members are introducing a comprehensive Workplace Safety Program (WSP) in Pakistan to support the development of the nation’s textile industry.
Suppliers of clothing and textiles from Pakistan will be a part of the program, which will help that nation’s industry grow just as it has for Bangladesh and other participants in the pact.
At a signature brand meeting on Wednesday in Amsterdam, it was decided to extend the program to Pakistan.
Brands will receive an information packet on the Pakistan Accord and will be asked to sign it by January 16, 2023, according to a press statement issued on Wednesday.
Joris Oldenziel, the executive director of the International Accord Foundation, said it is heartening to see the signatories of the International Accord come to an agreement to create a WSP that includes their Pakistani apparel and textile suppliers.
In order to ensure that our combined efforts benefit the sector and its employees, he stated, the foundation is resolved to work closely with Pakistani stakeholders.
The project aims to reach more than 500 manufacturers in Sindh and Punjab that produce the majority of Pakistan’s $20 billion in annual textile and apparel exports. These firms are employed by more than 100 agreement signatory companies.
The International Accord has collaborated closely with the federal and provincial governments, business associations, vendors, labor unions, and civil society organizations in Pakistan.
The Cut-Make-Trim (CMT) facilities, as well as producers of ready-made clothing (RMG), home textiles, fabric, and knit accessories, are all included in the Pakistan Accord (including vertically integrated facilities).
Execution is scheduled for a later stage of the program and also includes fabric mills in the distribution networks of the signatories.
The signatories decided to expand the workplace safety program to at least one more textile and apparel-producing nation as a result of the success in Bangladesh.
The Accord Secretariat used comprehensive research, surveys of signatures, and consultations with local stakeholders to assess the feasibility of expanding based on key factors.
Pakistan was chosen as a priority country in part because it is well-known as a source of clothing and textiles for large brands.
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