This cooperation will allow ALDI to promote health and safety programs across other countries while enabling the development of a pilot program for expansion of the scope of the workers’ complaint mechanism.
On December 1st, 2023, the ALDI SOUTH Group signed the new International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry (International Accord) and the Bangladesh Agreement on Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry (CSSP Bangladesh). This joint effort will be implemented in Pakistan and through the RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) in Bangladesh. It also has the provision to develop future Country-Specific Safety Programs (CSSPs) in other countries.
The International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry
As the successor agreement to the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh, signed in 2013 and 2018, the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry (International Accord) commenced on 1st September 2021 and expired on 31 October 2023. The new International Accord takes effect on 1st November 2023 for a term of three years with the possibility of automatic renewal for another three-year term.
The Bangladesh Agreement on Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry
The signatory parties to Bangladesh Safety Program (CSSP Bangladesh) commit to the principles enshrined in the 2023 International Accord, and as stipulated in the 2013, 2018 and the 2021 Accord agreements on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. The program in the country had a significant impact on the lives of thousands of workers. This effort resulted in more than 1,020 safety committees trained, 1,800 worker complaints processed and approximately 1.7 million people participating in safety training.
ALDI, in collaboration with its business partners, has played an important role by disclosing all factories producing for the company in countries with International Accord programs, ensuring all listed factories participate in the inspection, remediation, and safety training, as well as contributing to the operational costs of International Accord measurements.
This is an important step in continuing to protect the health and safety of workers and helps meet ALDI’s ongoing commitment to improve transparency and develop safe and sustainable textile supply chains.
