Retail Leaders Object to Bangladesh Accord Requirements in Defense Department Funding Bill
House and Senate lawmakers should reconsider language in fiscal year 2015 defense appropriations legislation that requires military exchanges that source garments from Bangladesh to join the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, said several retail industry associations in a…
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recent letter to appropriations lawmakers. The bill further requires the military to only contract with members of the accord. The accord, a mainly European coalition, was formed in the recent wake of a series of factory disasters in Bangladesh. Many U.S. and Canadian companies also then created the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety (see 13071613). The Senate Appropriations Committee approved on July 17 a defense appropriations bill that originated in the House. The American Apparel & Footwear Association, National Retail Federation, Retail Industry Leaders Association and the U.S. Fashion Industry Association, all members of the alliance, endorsed the letter. The Defense Department would have to come into compliance with the requirement 90 days following enactment of the legislation (here). Full Senate approval and Presidential signature is now required for the bill to become law.