BD to place report next week at EC meet

Syful Islam | Published: April 21, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

Bangladesh will highlight the outcome of Compact initiatives to improve working conditions at its ready-made garment (RMG) factories at a meeting next week in Brussels, sources said.
Bangladesh ambassador in Belgium Ismat Jahan will place a report at the meeting organised by the directorate general for employment of EC in Brussels.
The envoy is scheduled to speak on the topic "The sustainability compact improving labour rights and factory safety in Bangladesh", in which she will portray the improvements made so far in the said area at Bangladesh factories.
Last July, the government of Bangladesh signed an agreement titled 'Compact' with the European Commission (EC) and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) aiming at improvement in labour, health and safety conditions for workers, as well as encouraging responsible behaviour by businesses in the RMG industry.
The ambassador's statement will focus on what has been the responsiveness of the social partners and the civil society to the initiatives of the "sustainability compact". She will also describe how the role of EU in the context of Compact was perceived and if the Compact triggered further reflections on the working conditions of other sectors of the economy.
After the fire at Tazreen Fashions factory and Rana Plaza building collapse, which killed scores of apparel factory workers, workplace safety and improvement in working conditions have become major concerns locally and globally.
Following the incidents, the US administration suspended the GSP (generalised system of preferences) facility for Bangladesh products in its market in July last year citing labour rights violations and poor working conditions.
The United States and the European Union have also forwarded action plans to the Bangladesh government for implementation in a bid to ensure workplace safety and workers' rights.
Besides, Accord, a body of European retailers and buyers, and Alliance, another platform of North American retailers, are also implementing fire and building safety measures in Bangladesh.
A senior trade official said that a good number of the conditions set by the EU and the US have been fulfilled by Bangladesh. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed recently said most of the conditions set by the US Action Plan, including the creation of a database and recruitment of 200 inspectors, would be met shortly aiming at revival of the GSP facility in the US market.
The official said various steps have been taken to ensure fire safety and improving working conditions at the factories, which might be mentioned in the report to be placed before the EC meeting.