BENETTON GROUP TO SIGN BANGLADESH FIRE AND BUILDING SAFETY ACCORD

The Group has chosen to support this agreement to be at the forefront of contributing to a significant and lasting improvement in safety and working conditions in Bangladesh

Ponzano, Italy - May 14, 2013. Benetton Group announced today that it will sign the Bangladesh fire and Building Safety Agreement, as initiated and backed by IndustriALL and UNI Global Union.

Biagio Chiarolanza, CEO of Benetton Group, stated: “We decided to support this agreement so that our Group can be at the forefront of contributing to a significant and lasting improvement in working conditions and safety in Bangladesh.

“The agreement resulted from a multi-stakeholder approach that involved global retailers and manufacturers, trade unions, the International Labor Organization (ILO) as well as non-governmental organizations. From the beginning, we believed that only this type of collaborative approach could bring effective and sustainable change to the issues faced by the garment industry in Bangladesh.”

The Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Accord is a five-year commitment by all stakeholders involved which works towards significantly improving fire and building safety as well as working conditions in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. Further details will be announced jointly by all involved parties.

Mr. Chiarolanza concluded: “We are constantly working to strengthen the measures in place in the markets we operate. This agreement foresees, amongst other initiatives, a joint systems of inspections, training and financial commitments specific to Bangladesh and necessary to build a sustainable garment industry in that country thanks to the direct involvement all of interested parties. As such, it builds upon our long-standing commitment to consumer safety as well as socially and environmentally responsible business practices.”

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