The Supreme Court yesterday extended the tenure of Accord, a European agency for factory inspection and remediation, for 281 days from May 8 as a memorandum of understanding was signed between Accord and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in this regard.

The BGMEA will form a cell in the Accord and they will jointly inspect and ensure safety and security of garments factories and workers in Bangladesh, according to the Appellate Division order.

A four-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain passed the order after disposing of an appeal filed by Accord challenging a High Court verdict.

After the apex court order, Barrister Imtiaz Mainul Islam, counsel for

BGMEA, told reporters that Accord can stay and continue their activity for 281 days following the apex court order.

He also said that the apex court ruled that the Accord would leave the country after 281 days from the date of signing of the MoU between Accord and BGMEA.

The HC last year directed the Accord to stop its activities in Bangladesh after November 30 last.

The appeal was filed challenging a High Court directive that asked Accord to stop its activities after November 30 last year.

The Accord conducts inspection and remediation activities for more than 200 global clothing retailers and brands.

Additional Attorney General Sohrab Reza appeared for the government, while Advocate Salah Uddin Ahmed stood for the Accord.

According to the Accord’s statistics, the initiative has so far inspected more than 1,600 factories and completed over 92 per cent of remediation works in the units.