Peter Whish-Wilson (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a) notes:

(i) the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh that killed 1 127 garment workers, many of whom were sewing clothes for international brands in unsafe conditions,

(ii) the significant protests and riots by garment workers in Bangladesh in response to the building collapse, and

(iii) that in response, some international clothing brands have signalled their intention to sign an accord committing to improve fire and building standards for their workers in Bangladesh; and

(b) calls on:

(i) Australian companies to ensure the safety of their workers in developing countries through improving standards and conditions and providing for independent inspections of factories,

(ii) Australian clothing companies to join the accord committing to improve fire and building standards for workers in Bangladesh, and

(iii) the Australian clothing industry to consider moves towards supply chain accreditation for products from developing countries.

I seek leave to make a short statement.