US Ambassador in Bangladesh Dan Mozena has called for coordination between the Accord and the Alliance-two initiatives by the western retailers- to make their ongoing safety compliance efforts in Bangladesh's apparel sector more effective and successful.
"The two brand initiatives to improve factory safety - the Accord and the Alliance - must also continue to improve collaboration to ensure joint progress and clear expectations for the industry," Mr Mozena said.
However, the US call for coordination came against the backdrop of some disputes that have arisen between the two initiatives over inspection standards, duplication of factory assessment and payment of workers during suspension of any factory, informed circles said.
In a message conveyed on Tuesday on the occasion of the first anniversary of the 'Sustainability Compact', the Ambassador also reiterated the US government's suggestions to Bangladesh to continue factory inspections to ensure that all factories are inspected.
On July 08 2013, Bangladesh and the European Union, in association with the International Labor Organisation (ILO), agreed on the Sustainability Compact for continuous improvements in labour rights and factory safety in the readymade garment and knitwear industry in Bangladesh while the US later joined it.
"Meanwhile, significant work remains…The public database of safety and labour inspection results, though now online, lacks vital information," Mr Mozena added.
The suggestions also included development of a mechanism to respond to and address the allegations of harassment and violence against labour activists and to ensure the efficacy of proposed implementing rules and regulations not only of past Labour Act reforms but also of additional proposed legislative reforms in the national labour law and in the Export Processing Zones.
"We recognise that the task of improving working conditions and respect for workers' rights in Bangladesh is daunting, difficult, and time-consuming, but we also believe it is achievable, especially if we work together," the statement added.
Mr Mozena also called upon all parties to continue to support the commitments of the government of Bangladesh, the ILO, the European Union and the United States as reiterated in the Compact. He, however, mentioned the progress so far made including suspension of several factories finding those risky by the government, safety improvements of lower risky factories with continuation of operation protecting workers, registration of new trade unions and work with ILO to improve transparency regarding inspections and union registrations.
The US Ambassador's remarks came just a couple of days after the USTR's (United States Trade Representative) statement and a letter of six US Congressmen to the Prime Minister that also suggested the same.
