Target Australia has published a list of its Bangladesh factory partners, as part of its commitment to ensuring transparency and safe working conditions in its overseas supplier factories.

Target MD, Stuart Machin, said supply chain transparency was key to Target’s commitment to improving working conditions and safety standards in Bangladesh, and other sourcing countries.

“We have a responsibility to ensure that everyone who works for our business, whether directly or indirectly, is safe in their workplace,” Machin said.

“This is also a key concern for our customers, who want to know that the products they purchase from Target are sourced and produced ethically.”

Target was one of the first Australian retailers to sign the Bangladesh Accord on Fire and Building Safety, and also one of the first Australian retailers to publicly commit to publishing details of its factory suppliers.

Target will progressively publish details of factory partners from all sourcing countries, with the process expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Target also joined Impactt’s Benefits for Business and Workers Program in December 2013, which works with factories in developing countries to make business improvements that lead to better training, conditions and pay rates for factory workers.

Thirteen of Target’s Bangladeshi supplier factories have so far signed on to the Program, with the remainder expected to do so over coming months.

Machin said Target was proud of its transparent and ethically driven sourcing model, and was committed to ongoing improvements.

“We hope that our presence in Bangladesh and other developing countries can be a catalyst for improving the lives of workers,” he said.