The Statement Praising The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety's Progress

The National Retail Federation releases the statement from President and CEO Matthew Shay, praising the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety’s progress over the past year.

NRF CEO Mathew Shay comments, “The National Retail Federation applauds the tremendous progress the members of the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety have made this past year, demonstrating their true commitment to safer working conditions in the Bangladesh ready-made garment industry.

“The successful development of a strict and unified standard for structural, fire and electrical safety, the training of one million Bangladeshi factory workers and management on pertinent safety training programs, financial compensation for dislocated workers, and reinforced advocacy efforts before the Bangladeshi government are just a few of the Alliance’s achievements.

“While the group has made great strides, we know more needs to be done. Only through shared responsibility by all stakeholders, including industry, government, and labor will change be realized.

“We look forward to seeing continued progress in Bangladesh and providing the Alliance the support necessary to accomplish their goals."

The Alliance also released its first annual progress report, which details both the achievements realized and challenges faced in its efforts to dramatically improve safety in the ready-made garment sector since the Alliance was founded one year ago this month.

NRF is the world’s largest retail trade association, representing discount and department stores, home goods and specialty stores, Main Street merchants, grocers, wholesalers, chain restaurants and Internet retailers from the United States and more than 45 countries. Retail is the nation’s largest private sector employer, supporting one in four U.S. jobs – 42 million working Americans. Contributing $2.5 trillion to annual GDP, retail is a daily barometer for the nation’s economy. NRF’s This is Retail campaign highlights the industry’s opportunities for life-long careers, how retailers strengthen communities, and the critical role that retail plays in driving innovation.