A number of retailers in Australia have been accused of underpaying their suppliers in Bangladesh forcing them to exploit low cost labour in the country by not offering a safe working environment.

Retailers including Coles, Target, Cotton On and Forever New are among the retailers that have been accused of using low-cost labour in Bangladesh. A factory had collapsed in April in the south Asian country that has claimed more than 1100 lives, exposing the unsafe conditions for working in the factories in the country.

The retailers in the country have now joined others, who have been accused of using cheap labour in Bangladesh. Kmart, Big W and Rivers were among Western companies accused of manufacturing in the country. Many have now asked suppliers to abolish abusive practices like demanding excessive overtime and locking female workers in the factory.

Wesfarmers brands Kmart and Target have signed an accord on June 7 for safe working conditions and many are set to join the firms.