UNC looks to protect garment workers in Bangladesh

UNC’s Licensing Labor Code Advisory Committee met Tuesday to discuss whether to adopt an agreement in support of safer garment factories in Bangladesh.

The committee debated whether to send a recommendation on to Chancellor Folt, requiring apparel with UNC’s logo to comply with the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.

The accord is a legally binding agreement created after a factory collapse in Bangladesh killed more than 1100 workers in April.

Members of the committee — including various faculty members, students and administrators — have met since October to discuss the their options.

“(The accord) has the potential to save thousands of lives,” said junior Olivia Abrecht, a member of UNC club Student Action with Workers.

Representatives from the VF Corporation, whose brands include North Face and Wrangler and who produce some UNC apparel, began the meeting by explaining that they had signed the less restrictive Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety. They said they believe the accord violates American anti-trust laws.

Committee members said the main difference is that the alliance does not bind companies to pay for repairs in factories and does not guarantee workers the right to refuse working in unsafe conditions.

Kalpona Akter, a Bangladeshi labor organizer, spoke to the committee via Skype asking them to sign the accord.

Elizabeth Haddix, the education staff attorney for the school of law, is a committee member and said UNC’s image is at stake in the matter.

“We believe in workplace safety, which is enforceable and accountable, and we believe that it has to be in an enforceable document,” she said.

“That’s what we’re looking for in the alliance, and I’m not seeing that.”

Naomi Baumann-Carbrey, a member of SAW, said eight universities have already signed the Accord, including Duke University.

Committee member and student body president Christy Lambden said that taking no action — or making the decision too slowly — could have negative implications.

“To be blunt, the general populace — our alumni, our students, our faculty — do not have a good perception of our university at this point,” Lambden said. “The University needs a win, and human rights is a huge win.”

Members discussed the viability of other options, such as expanding the labor code without requiring the apparel brands to sign the accord, which could mean lost contracts.

Committee member Derek Lochbaum suggested a more cautious approach, as neither the alliance nor the accord have started safety inspections or raised money for repairs.

The next meeting, to finalize the recommendation, is set for late February.

“You’re about to make a long-term judgement call, even before inspection,” said Lochbaum.

“I’m wondering if there is maybe a series of actions we can take.”

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