Readymade garment (RMG) stakeholders, including large global brands, stressed the importance on a sustained Covid-19 recovery for the country's largest foreign currency-earning sector.
They also focused on coordinated capacity-building initiatives, improved labour market governance, effective social dialogue and responsible sourcing practices to ensure decent work and resilient supply chains.
The observations came at a two-day virtual forum on "Reimagining Sustainability" held on October 28-29 organised by Better Work Bangladesh (BWB) programme, an advocacy platform.
Over 250 RMG stakeholders, including representatives of the government, employers' and workers' organisations, development partners, global brands and retailers, manufacturers, the civil society and academia attended the event.
The Forum also highlighted the impact and lessons learned from Better Work's response to Covid-19, particularly the support to factories and ILO constituents, and how the industry can make the best out of these interventions for a sustainable recovery from the crisis.
The statement quoted BWB country programme manager Anne-Laure Henry-Gréard as saying "This is a very important year for the RMG industry to look at the long-term challenges and opportunities in the face of the COVID-19 crisis."
"Our approach to 'build back better' has to be based on the application of international labour standards, and we hope to see continuing support to the initiatives that have commenced seven to eight years ago in relation to the improvement in working conditions, industrial safety and social dialogue," ILO Bangladesh country director Tuomo Poutiainen said.
The Better Work programme can play an important role in ensuring a better future for the RMG industry during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, said labour secretary KM Abdus Salam.
With joint efforts of the government, employers' and workers' organisations at the national level, and with support from the development partners, the government is hopeful of a full economic and social recovery from the crisis within a short period of time, he added.
Highlighting the impact of Better Work's training programme Gender in addressing gender inequality in the RMG sector, IFC country manager Wendy Werner stated that "Our collective work on women's empowerment and gender equality will be an extremely important part of building back better."
It is the right time to think how the country can mitigate the uncertainties facing the RMG industry, said commerce secretary Dr Jafar Uddin.
Terming the Covid-19 crisis 'a new reality we cannot deny', Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF) president Kamran T Rahman acknowledged BWB's continued support to the workers and employers during this unprecedented time.
On the second day, Rensje Teerink head of the EU Delegation to Bangladesh, said, "Due diligence for responsible business conduct will be a game-changer because it will provide for a level playing field not only for the producing countries but also for the companies. Making it mandatory is one of the objectives the EU is pursuing."
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president DrRubanaHuq said "All of us are actually one, there are no sides anymore. If Covid-19 has taught us anything, it has taught us that it is the time to be together. There is no alternative to collaboration."
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