A 12-member Alliance delegation headed by its president Jeffrey Krillaare in Dhaka to work out the detailed framework of the safety program including development of a common safety standard.The delegation of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety reiterated its commitment to completing the proposed inspection of Bangladesh ready-made garment (RMG) factories within the stipulated timeframe.The coalition of North American apparel companies and retailers, industry associations and NGOs was established inJuly to improve workers' safety in Bangladeshi garment factories."The Alliance members informed that they would inspect about 500 garment factories by July 2014," laboursecretaryMikailShipar told the media. He said the Alliance team had also reiterated their assurance that they would carry out their inspection under the national common standards that would be set according to the laws of the land.
The Alliance members have committed more than $45 million to administer the programs and to support the specific ones in the initiative, with some companies offering an additional combined total of over $100 million in loans and access to capital to assist factory owners they work with in Bangladesh targeting factory safety improvement.
