BSS-45 USAID inks MoU with US retail, apparel, footwear cos to help supply chain workers

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ZCZC

BSS-45

USAID-MOU

USAID inks MoU with US retail, apparel, footwear cos to help supply
chain workers

DHAKA, Oct 29, 2020 (BSS) – US Agency for International Development
(USAID) has inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with a
consortium of US retail, apparel, and footwear companies and industry
associations to help hard-hit supply-chain workers in Asia.

The US government’s third annual Indo-Pacific Business Forum on Wednesday
hosted virtually out of Hanoi, Vietnam and USAID Deputy Administrator
Bonnie Glick announced the new MoU to pursue much-needed relief to the
predominantly female workers in their supply-chains in Bangladesh, the
Kingdom of Cambodia, the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka,
and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, said a press release here today.

Deputy Administrator Glick signed the MoU on behalf of USAID, and
Steve Lamar, President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the
American Apparel and Footwear Association, signed it on behalf of the
consortium.

The participating companies and industry associations are Carter’s,
Inc; Gap, Inc; Global Brands Group; Levi Strauss and Company; Nike;
Tapestry; Target; VF Corporation; Walmart; the American Apparel and
Footwear Association; the National Retail Federation; the Retail
Industry Leaders Association; and the US Fashion Industry Association.

With unprecedented speed and scale, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a
devastating impact on global supply-chains, disrupting trade and
investment, putting frontline workers at risk, and eliminating the
jobs of millions of other workers, especially women.

The apparel, footwear, and fashion-accessories (AFFA) sector in
Asia has been among the most-affected industries, challenged by
constraints on supply and demand that arose from stay-at-home orders,
temporary closures of businesses, stoppages in production, backlogs in
shipment, and cargo delays.

The MoU establishes intent for USAID and the consortium to work
together over the coming year to alleviate hardships faced by AFFA
workers in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Such efforts,
in collaboration with local partners, will aim to create a more
resilient AFFA sector and workforce, enhance the rights and welfare of
workers in AFFA factories, and empower women in the AFFA workforce.

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