Italian retailer Benetton Group SpA, whose order forms were found in the rubble of the collapsed Rana Plaza factory, is strongly considering signing the agreement, according to a person close to the company.

WSJ: Promises in Bangladesh

Manganese and Geely signed a joint venture agreement in 2006 and own a factory in Shanghai that produces taxis for the international market.

BBC: Manganese Bronze to call in administrators

In early December America signed an agreement with Canada allowing customs officials to inspect factory shipments on site, rather than clog up the borders.

ECONOMIST: Homeland security

But Wagoner also announced a tentative agreement with the United Auto Workers that would have factory workers pay for more of their health care benefits.

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Labor and human-rights groups have been calling on apparel brands and retailers to sign on to the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement, which would establish a system of independent factory inspections whose recommendations would be binding.

WSJ: Dozens Die in Bangladesh Building Collapse

As part of the legally binding agreement, retailers would be liable when there's a factory fire and would have to pay factory owners more to make repairs.

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Campaigners also want Primark, with Matalan and Mango, which have also used the building's products, to sign the Bangladesh Fire and Building Safety Agreement of firms, unions and non-governmental organisations aimed at ending the "appallingly unsafe factory conditions" in that country.

BBC: Bangladesh tragedy: UK and companies 'must do more'