Oxfam response to 70 retailers agreeing on Bangladesh garment factory inspections

8 July 2013 - A group of 70 retailers have agreed a plan to conduct inspections of garment factories in Bangladesh in an attempt to improve safety standards.

Oxfam's Selina Shelley said," Oxfam welcomes the news that 70 retailers have a agreed a plan to conduct inspections of garment factories in Bangladesh in an attempt to improve safety standards. The fact that over 40 percent of Bangladeshi factories have major safety issues mean that over 1 million garment workers are required to take totally unacceptable risks to provide for their families.

"This will provide the best chance in a decade to tackle these chronic problems. The women working in these factories deserve nothing less – and consumers expect nothing less.

"Consumers can help by checking their favorite brands have signed the accord."