Global unions and labor rights' groups have been successful in pressuring many retailers to sign onto a Bangladesh safety agreement after the Rana Plaza building collapse killed more than 1,000 people. H&M, along with other major European retailers signed onto the agreement after facing public pressure. However, American retailers like Wal-Mart and Gap have said that they will not sign onto safety agreements, but will create their own. Details of the agreement are still being worked out, but companies will contribute some amount of money to help improve safety at garment factories in Bangladesh.
See "Public Outrage Over Factory Conditions Spurs Labor Deal", Liz Alderman, The New York Times, May 19, 2013