The Rana Plaza factory tragedy in 2013 drew international attention of factory workers in the country, and prompted the National Retail Federation (NRF) and other associations to collaborate to improve worker conditions. A couple of years ago, the National Retail Federation (NRF) partnered with global retailers and other associations to build the Safer Factories Initiative and the Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety.

Since then companies such as Gap, Sears, and Costco, along with organisations such as American Apparel & Footwear Association, Retail Industry Leaders Association, etc seek to prevent future tragedy through rigorous examination of Bangladesh’s garment industry. Thus, recently NRF representatives were in Bangladesh to review the progress to safeguard workers and improve their working conditions.

David French, NRF Senior Vice-President for government relations said they saw firsthand that significant progress was made to improve conditions at factories in the country and work was on track to see more improvements in the future. NRF Vice-President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold and French also toured factories and ports and met with local stakeholders and Alliance executives.

According to Alliance’s report, efforts have led to 661 factory visits, 591 approved corrective plans, and 6,177 payments to displaced workers. Besides, until July, 2015, 528 factories completed at least one remediation visit. Moreover, the Alliance also established a helpline in 414 factories connecting workers with resources. One of the Alliance’s biggest priorities though, this progress doesn’t ebb as the initiative enter the third year of its five-year commitment.