The US wants Bangladesh to decide on the tenure of the buyers’ initiatives Accord and Alliance. Delays in approving extensions of Accord and Alliance would send a negative signal to buyers and consumers that Bangladesh was not committed to workplace safety. Factory safety and labor rights are a priority for US legislators, civil society, businesses and consumers.

Following the Rana Plaza building collapse in April 2013 that killed more than 1,100 people, European retailers formed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh and North American buyers announced the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety, which undertook a five-year plan, which set time frames and accountability for inspections and training and workers empowerment programs.

Accord has already obtained conditional extension for six more months as the tenure of the platform is going to end on May 31. The extension of the time frame for Alliance remains under process and the time frame of the platform would end on June 30. Alliance may however, obtain an extension up to December 31 this year.

The United States also wants Bangladesh to resolve the long-standing labor rights concerns so that Bangladesh can focus on preparing for its future as a middle income country and, eventually, a developed country.