The Pakistan Accord Brings Hope For An Ethical Future In Pakistani Fashion Factories

After a decade-long wait, it was announced on Wednesday that the International Accord, which was supported and signed by 187 brands, Pakistani unions and NGO witness signatories, had finally made its way to Pakistan. 

The purpose of the Accord is to protect factory workers from unsafe conditions by giving them equal decision-making power as corporations, opening the factories up for mandated inspections, providing safety training, and ensuring that all voiced complaints are heard and immediately responded to, should there be any concerns for health and safety.

Pakistan is among the leading garment, textile, leather and footwear companies around the world, with over 4.2 million workers employed. 

This legally binding Accord program is certainly a step in the right ddirection. It will bring forth a more ethical future for Pakistani laborers who have suffered more than long enough from inhumane work environments.

This safeguarding plan is, however a decade late, and should’ve been implemented the minute 250 workers were reported to have died from a fire in the Ali Enterprises factory in Karachi on September 11, 2012. But, if the history of these corporations has taught us anything, is that they have a tendency to sweep such horrific disasters under the rug instead of putting some much necessary change into effect. 

This blatant ignorance will no longer fly with this new found regime of accountability, transparency and overall social responsibility. The fashion industry is changing and brands, such as the likes of Adidas, ASOS, H&M, Hugo Boss, Mango, Marks & Spencer, and so many more popular retail stores have gotten on board with the Accord by signing off on it.

We still have a long way to go to reach a place within the retail industry, where it’s rigidly practicing more sustainable climate-positive production models and providing fair wages, but we’ll take this win for today!

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