My Recommendation: CLOTHIERS ACT TO INSPECT CAMBODIA FACTORIES (modeled after the one enacted for Bangladesh), inter alia: 1. The companies would agree that they would take responsibility and immediate action wherever serious safety problems are found. They would pledge “to insure that sufficient funds are available to pay for renovations and other safety improvements.” 2. The accord would allow labor groups to take clothing brands that refuse to live up to their commitments to arbitration or, failing that, to court in the companies’ home countries. This would give unions a crucial tool to help ensure that industry keeps its word; 3. LEGAL LIABILITY (accord legally binding, not voluntary; companies subject to lawsuits in their respective country, arbitration failing); 4. Accord would give labor unions a role in overseeing its implementation; 5. A FOUNDATION underwritten by clothing companies will send inspectors to identify hazards and propose safety measures at factories that make clothes for brands like H&M, Zara and Tommy Hilfiger. 6. The cost of repairing factories and paying workers who are temporarily furloughed would be covered by the companies, loans from international financial institutions, and Cambodia and foreign government funds. 7. Retailers would commit to keep buying from factories that agree to make repairs and would stop buying from any that refuse. 8. The foundation would be run by clothing companies and global and local labor groups.
Posted on: Sun, 14 Jul 2013 09:38:34 +0000
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