US, EC for safety measures in RMG sector

FE Team | Published: December 07, 2012 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
The US and European Commission (EC) at separate meetings with leaders of country's apparel makers Thursday pressed for trade union rights and ensuring adequate safety measures in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
During his meeting with the RMG leaders, the US Ambassador Dan W Mozena laid emphasis on some issues including workers' trade union rights and fire safety compliance, BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association) sources said, without going into further details.
EU Ambassador William Hanna at his meeting with leaders of the BGMEA raised the EU's renewed concern about factory safety in Bangladesh following news of the fire at Tazreen Fashions Ltd in Ashulia.
"We all know what must be done. Safety standards in factories must be improved," a EU statement said, quoting Mr Hanna.
The EU Ambassador was also quoted as saying: "The EU is already working with the BGMEA to assist. We will continue to do so. All must play a part -- including Government services, producers, workers' representatives and buyers -- to ensure decent working standards in the RMG sector in Bangladesh."
Faruque Hassan, vice president of BGMEA, told the FE that the EU Ambassador wanted to know about the taskforce and the measures we have undertaken after the fire incident.
"We will start the crash training programme from Monday which would especially deal with fire safety at factories," he informed the meeting.
In doing so, he said, the association has already divided the country's garments areas into zones.
Diplomats of the US and EU met the BGMEA leaders following the recent devastating fire incident at Tazreen Fashions Ltd which claimed at least 112 workers and injured several others.