April 17, 2006

MSN is calling on all Canadian retailers whose clothes are made in Bangladesh to work with other buyers and local and international unions and NGO to support the creation of a credible and comprehensive safety program in Bangladesh so that tragedies like Spectrum never happen again.

REQUESTED ACTION:

Write a letter today to the Retail Council of Canada, with copies to the Bangladesh government and industry associations, demanding immediate action to ensure safe and healthy working conditions in garment factories producing for Canadian companies.

SAMPLE LETTERS (Please write your own and send copies to MSN.)

Diane J. Brisebois
President and CEO
Retail Council of Canada
1255 Bay Street, Suite 800
Toronto, ON M5R 2A9

Fax: 416-922-8011

Email: djbrisebois@retailcouncil.org

Dear Ms. Brisebois:

One year after the Spectrum tragedy, I am writing to express my support for the Maquila Solidarity Network's call on Canadian retailers to take immediate action to ensure that the garment factories they use in Bangladesh are safe and healthy workplaces.

On April 11, 2005, 64 workers were killed, more than 70 injured and hundreds left jobless. One year later similar preventable tragedies continue to take place because of the failure of the industry and Bangladeshi government to seriously address the health and safety problems that are endemic to the export garment industry in that country.

While I am pleased that the RCC has informed its members about these issues and has communicated its concerns to the Bangladeshi industry association, in light of the recent tragedies that have taken place over the past six weeks, concerted and coordinated action by all concerned parties is desperately needed to achieve sector-wide improvements.

I would therefore strongly urge the RCC to encourage all its members sourcing garments from Bangladesh to work together with other international buyers and local and international labour and non-governmental organizations through multi-stakeholder initiative such as the MFA Forum to ensure that a credible and comprehensive safety program is put into effect in Bangladesh so that tragedies like Spectrum never take place again.

Thank you for your prompt attention to this important matter. I look forward to receiving information on what Canadian retailers are doing to ensure that the factories they use in Bangladesh are safe and healthy workplaces.

Yours truly,

Cc:

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association
Fax: 011-880-2-8113951
E-mail: info@bgmea.com; bgmeannet@agni.com

Altaf Hossain Chowdhury, Minister of Commerce
Fax: 011-880-2-7165741
E-mail: cmmincom@bttb.net.bd

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