Protest outside Gap shareholder meet

Around 50 protesters held a demonstration outside Gap Inc's shareholder meeting at San Francisco on Thursday urging the American clothing giant to sign the accord on Bangladesh’s fire and building safety.

The protesters include activists from South Asia, labour-rights defenders, students and consumers, said a media release sent from the US.

"We are urging Gap to do its part to help prevent future garment industry disasters like the fire at Tazreen that claimed 112 lives and the building collapse at Rana Plaza that killed over 1,100 people,” said Claudia Fernandez, a Santa Clara University student, at the demonstration.

“Gap should live up to their reputation for corporate responsibility," said Fernandez, who is a member of United Students against Sweatshops.

Tina Jabeen, another demonstrator, urged the Gap shareholders to do their job in ensuring Bangladesh’s fire and building safety and protecting workers rights.

“Don't skirt your responsibilities,' she said referring to signs displaying names of Bangladeshi workers who were killed in a Gap supplier factory in 2010.

Forty companies have already signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh. The signatories include brands and retailers from a dozen countries, with presence in more than 1,000 factories in Bangladesh.