BD RMG on right track: Miller

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FE Report US Congressman George Miller has expressed his optimism about the changes in garment industry of Bangladesh and said if it continues to stick to the past, there could be severe consequences. "I am very optimistic. Bangladesh (is) doing the right thing and responding in the right way," he said adding that if the country continues to deny the workers of safe working conditions it would face severe consequences. Mr Miller made the observations, based on his meetings with people within and outside the government, at a press conference held at the American Centre Wednesday. The Congressman visited Bangladesh to personally see the conditions prevailing in the world's second largest garment industry. He met with high government officials, workers, victims, and industry players including ministers, factory owners and survivors of Tazreen fire during his five-day stay in the country. "Almost everybody, I would say, everybody recognised Bangladesh has a choice. They can go for a future and assist upon safe working condition, safe factories, programme for fire prevention where they struggled in the past," he said. Like many others, he maintained that trade union could prevent deadly incidents that had happened in the country, including the fire in Tazreen and collapse of Rana Plaza. The granting of the right to trade union and do the bargaining collectively would change the situation. He however remarked that after all these tragic incidents and the petition on the generalisd system of preferences (GSP), the situation with the trade union registration has improved significantly. "This is encouraging," he said. Mr Miller is the first member of the US Congress to visit Bangladesh since more than 1,100 workers died and over 2,500 were injured in the Rana Plaza collapse on April 24 last. Miller has been pressing major American companies whose products originate from Bangladesh to sign onto a new binding and enforceable building and fire safety accord that has been signed by more than 31 companies worldwide, according to his website information. Expressing the concern of the US, his constituency and women community, Miller said the industry being as part of the social media, they want to see the change and the rights to union and work in safe condition. He also expressed his confidence that the traditional way of doing business would not work after the recent incidents and signing of the accord by brands, buyers, retailers etc. Referring to the issue of GSP, the congressman said the GSP discussion is carried on by the US Ambassador and expressed hope that Bangladesh would rapidly meet the international compliance after the tragic incident which intensified all efforts. "Lot of questions remain for Bangladesh to answer … decision on GSP is not mine … we cannot go beyond the international standard," he said. Replaying to a question on the commitment of brands, he said, some brands have taken responsibility but those which want to stick to the old system are discouraging.