DHAKA (AFP) ― Bangladeshi garment manufacturers on Wednesday hailed an agreement by top retailers to make the country’s factories safer, saying it reflected their long-term commitment to improving working conditions.

The retailers made the pledge following one of the world’s worst industrial disasters in which 1,127 people died, most of them female garment workers, when a nine-storey factory complex collapsed outside Dhaka on April 24.

Global high street brands including Benetton, Carrefour and Marks & Spencer on Tuesday joined clothing giants Inditex of Spain and H&M of Sweden to sign up to the accord on fire and building safety.

“We welcome this agreement. Obviously it’s a very good thing for all of us,” said Atiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association which represents 4,500 apparel factories.

“If they come forward and help repair, retro-fit or strengthen our factories it’s good for all of us. It’s a reflection of their long-term commitment to Bangladesh and that they are our partners,” Islam told AFP.

“We’ve asked them not to leave us. Let’s work together. We told them that we want to take lessons from the Rana Plaza tragedy. We welcome their positive move,” Islam said.

The agreement, due to be formally signed in the coming days, commits retailers to paying for factory repairs and ensuring an efficient system for building and fire safety inspections.

The full list of signatories has yet to be revealed.

But U.S.-based PVH, owner of the Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein brands, and Germany’s Tchibo, were among the first to support it, according to anti-sweatshop network The Clean Clothes Campaign.

Islam said the manufacturers also welcome a move by the U.S. retail giant Wal-Mart to conduct in-depth safety inspections at all 279 of its Bangladesh suppliers.

“It’s the retailer’s decision. We don’t mind any inspection by any retailer,” he said, adding that his group, with annual sales of around $80 million, is a supplier of WalMart and H&M.