A global clothing brand will pay US$2.3 Million to help Bangladeshi clothing factories meet fire and safety standards.

The UNI Global Union and IndustriALL Global Union took the clothing company before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in the Hague, accusing it of making it economically impossible for clothing factories in Bangladesh to fix safety issues, endangering the lives of thousands of workers.  The clothing brand cannot be named under the terms of the agreement.

"The settlement makes real resources available to over 150 factories so they can finally make the necessary repairs that were needed years ago," Christy Hoffman of UNI Global Union said.  "Under the Accord, brands must shoulder some of the financial responsibility for fixing the Bangladeshi factories that manufacture their products," she added.  The brand will also contribute $300,000 to a fund created by UNI Global Union and IndustriAll Global Union to improve pay and conditions for workers in global supply chains.