Further hearing on Dec 6
The Accord, which has been locked in a tug of war with the government over its right to continue its activities in Bangladesh, was thrown a lifeline by the Supreme Court yesterday.
The SC fixed December 6 for further hearing on a petition filed by the Accord last week challenging a High Court directive that asked it to end all activities in Bangladesh on November 30.
The development means the Accord, a platform of more than 200 mostly European retailers, does not need to wrap up its affairs today and can continue until December 6.
Formed after the Rana Plaza collapse in April 2013 to enhance workplace safety, the Accord has been insisting on a three-year extension to see through the remediation works in its sourcing factories.
But the government is adamant on not extending the platform's tenure any further than the six months it had given on May 13. The extension ends today.
In a verdict to a case filed by the Chittagong-based Smart Jeans, the court said its observation is a must if the tenure of the Accord is to be extended for any reason.
As a result, the extension or departure of the Accord is hanging on the court's verdict.
A six-member bench of the Appellate Division headed by Justice Muhammad Imman Ali passed the order during yesterday's hearing on the appeal.
Additional Attorney General Murad Reza represented the government, while Advocate KS Salahuddin Ahmed appeared for Accord.
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