Four hundred students have signed a petition urging the University to push manufacturers of Penn apparel to sign the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.
Last year, over 1,500 workers in Bangladesh were killed in garment factory fires and collapses in three separate accidents. In response to these tragedies, Bangladeshi and international unions created the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh — a treaty intended to protect the lives and rights of garment workers.
The petition urges the University’s Committee on Manufacturing Responibility to update the language of its Code of Workplace Conduct for Penn Apparel Licensees to include the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh
Related: SLAP holds candelight vigil at President Gutmann’s house
In addition to supporting the accord, the petition asks the Committee to require brands who manufacture Penn apparel to grant workers the right to refuse to work in an unsafe environment.
The Student Labor Action Project, which authored the petition, argues that this is necessary because workers who died in an April 2013 factory collapse had previously voiced concerns about the condition of the factory but came to work anyway after management threatened not to pay them for that day’s work.
The petition also asks the Committee to allow labor unions to form in factories producing collegiate apparel that can legally address major health and safety concerns.
On December 3, the CMR will announce its decision on whether or not it will update its language to include the accord. If the answer is yes, Penn will be the first university to include the Bangladesh Accord in a code of conduct.
Related: SLAP to host event for garment worker awareness
According to College junior and SLAP member Chloe Sigal, SLAP hopes to get every clothing brand that has worked for Penn in Bangladesh since January 1, 2013 to sign the accord. The majority of companies that manufacture Penn apparel — including Soffe, Russell Athletic and Box Seat Clothing Co. — have not signed on.
According to SLAP, Adidas and Knight Apparel have been the first and only American brands that manufacture Penn apparel to sign the Bangladesh Fire Safety Accord so far.
College sophomore and SLAP member Clara Hendrickson said there has been a generally positive response from the student body. The group also held a vigil and a teach-in earlier this semester.
“No one should die being a seamstress,” Sigal said. “It’s not an inherently dangerous career.”
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.