DHAKA: TheContributor.com, The Other 98% and Indigenous Designs, in a press release on October 16, announced the launch of Shop Your Values, a human rights campaign that encourages shoppers to boycott GAP, Old Navy and Banana Republic stores for their refusal to sign the Bangladesh Worker Safety Accord.

Over 90 brands and retailers throughout the US and Europe have signed the accord, which will require companies that source their products in Bangladesh to help pay for factory renovations and more rigorous inspections to ensure safe working conditions. Bangladesh is the world`s second largest garment exporter.

Publisher of TheContributor.com Chris Dykstra, a co-sponsor of the Shop Your Values campaign said, "GAP, Inc. puts people in harm`s way at its factories in order to boost profits. This business practice should not be accepted by consumers or the business community at large. Those who practice it do not deserve to be rewarded in the market. This tragic story must be told and the business community must focus on solving this issue, not perpetrating it. We welcome other like-minded organizations to participate."

John Sellers, co-founder of The Other 98% agrees. "We are adding our voice to the calls for justice for garment workers in Bangladesh... It isn`t acceptable to sell or buy clothing someone suffered or died to make. We can use our purchasing power to make a better world."

Indigenous CEO Scott Leonard said, "We have seen firsthand how our choices impact the communities involved in creating our clothing. Businesses have a tremendously positive effect on the communities in which they operate when they are held accountable for worker safety. Shoppers need to know what`s going on in Bangladesh. It`s time to take a stand.”

Source: marketwatch.com
BDST: 0935 HRS, OCT 17, 2013
SR/JCK