Some of the UK’s leading retail chains are yet to sign up to a deal that will ensure safety standards at factories in Bangladesh which undertake much of their garment production. John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Next, Debenhams and Sainsbury’s are among those yet to sign up to Bangladesh’s latest laws on fire and building safety. While 60 brands using nearly 1,200 Bangladesh factories, such as Adidas, H&M, Lidl and Primark, have already signed up to the renewed pact, some of the UK retailers have expressed reservations. “We remain committed to this issue and will continue to support local manufacturers, helping them reach the highest standards in safety,” a spokesperson for Sainsbury’s said. Jenny Holdcroft, assistant general secretary of the international union IndustriALL, warned: “Brands need to stay with the accord.

Source: Dhaka Tribune January 30, 2018 10:41 UTC