Bangladesh clothing factory safety deal in danger, warn unions

Without extension of legally binding 2013 accord, life-saving changes still required in factories will not go ahead

The future of a landmark deal to improve safety at clothing factories in Bangladesh is in doubt, unions have said, ahead of the eighth anniversary of the collapse of the Rana Plaza building in which more than 1,100 garment workers died.

More than 200 brands, including Primark, Marks & Spencer and H&M, signed up to the Bangladesh Accord on fire and building safety after the 2013 disaster at the factory building in the outskirts of Dhaka. That deal, agreed with international clothing workers' unions UNI Global and IndustriALL, is due to expire next month.