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UNI Global Union is celebrating a breakthrough for workers today after Fast Retailing, Asia's largest clothing retailer, became the latest big name to sign the Bangladesh Fire and Safety Accord.

The Japanese company, owner of the popular clothing brand UNIQLO, joins a list of more than eighty global brands to have signed the Accord, which was created following the Rana Plaza building collapse in April that killed more than 1,100 people.

UNI Global Union said the move was a sign of the Accord working together to break through for workers but warned it is imperative that other companies follow suit if another tragedy is to be avoided.

General Secretary Philip Jennings said, “We welcome the decision of Fast Retailing and we urge other retailers to follow suit. In this day and age, it is sickening that rich global companies are still able to subject factory workers to life threatening conditions.

“On behalf of UNI Global Union, I want to thank UNI-LCJapan for their hard work in breaking through. This must open the way for more Japanese companies to sign the accord.”

Aldo Liguori, a Fast Retailing Company spokesperson said, "Our reason is quite simple - our priority is to work across the industry to improve conditions for the workers in Bangladesh, so we just wanted to join in."



The Accord is a legally binding agreement made between the signatories, two global unions (IndustriALL and UNI Global Union) and various apparel unions in Bangladesh. The agreement binds the signatories to providing independent safety inspections with public reports, mandatory repairs and renovations, and a vital role for workers and their unions.