A visiting team of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) has expressed its satisfaction over the progress the country's apparel industry made in implementation of its action plan regarding workplace safety and labour welfare, sources said.
A four-member delegation comprising two from the USTR and two from the US embassy in Dhaka, led by Deputy Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia Mara M Burr, met several government secretaries and stakeholders Tuesday and Wednesday and discussed about the progresses made since the action plan was forwarded by the US to Bangladesh last year.
"During our meeting Tuesday, they inquired about the activities we are doing now and implemented in the past to comply with their requirements. They were found to be satisfied with our progress," Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar told the FE Wednesday.
He said they are convinced that some works are being done in the country's apparel industry for the welfare of workers and for ensuring workplace safety.
"We also apprised them about the delay in implementation of some conditions and our sincere efforts to carry out those," he added.
On Tuesday the delegation also met Commerce Secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon.
During the meeting, the team also heard about the progress in implementation of the action plan. They also expressed satisfaction on the progress made so far.
The team also met the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Wednesday.
Vice President of the BGMEA Shahidullah Azim told the FE after meeting the team members that they were found very much positive on the progress made in action plan implementation.
"We unveiled a detailed scenario of the activities we have carried out and are presently carrying out to comply with their conditions. The USTR officials were found to be happy with our activities," he said.
Mr Azim said the US has cancelled the generalised system of preference (GSP) facility for Bangladeshi products to its market last year citing some shortcomings in labour welfare and workplace safety.
"But we have made significant progress in the meantime and the efforts to make further progress are continuing. So, the US should reconsider restoration of the GSP facility for our products," he added.
In July, the USTR in a statement said Bangladesh needs to make further improvement in the field of workers' rights and workplace safety to get back the GSP facility for its products.
The GSP sub-committee is scheduled to make its next review on implementation of action plan by Bangladesh in December.
