Otto Group is one of the first signatories of the Pakistan Accord

"We are pleased to be among the first signing companies and are thus clearly committing ourselves to our corporate responsibility. Improving working conditions in the textile industry is one of our core interests," says Dr Tobias Wollermann, Vice President Corporate Responsibility at the Otto Group.

The collapse of the Rana Plaza textile factory in Bangladesh in 2013 marked a turning point for the global textile and clothing industry. Based on this tragic incident, an agreement was reached and subsequently became known as the 'Bangladesh Accord', and in whose formulation the Otto Group was significantly involved. It has enormously improved labor and safety standards in the South Asian country. In 2021, it was successfully transferred to a new agreement that extends beyond Bangladesh, the ‘International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry’.

"As a signatory to the International Accord and as a co-initiator of the original Bangladesh Accord, the Otto Group welcomes the agreement reached for Pakistan. Why? Because the extension of the successes achieved by the Accord in Bangladesh for the safety of workers to other countries is a hopeful outlook," explains Dr Tobias Wollermann.

Together with other companies, the new agreement provides an opportunity to continue successfully the efforts made in recent years in improving occupational health and safety measures throughout Pakistan's garment and textile sector.

Sustainability and corporate responsibility are firmly anchored in the Otto Group's DNA and strategic alliances, such as the International Accord, have a long tradition. Joining forces increases the chance of achieving significant improvements in supply chains worldwide. The Otto Group has been a member of the Steering Committee of the International Accord since its inception.