Canada, UK, Netherlands reaffirm support in improving BD RMG working condition

High Commissioners of Canada and the United Kingdom and Ambassador of the Netherlands have reaffirmed to continue support of their respective countries in the improvement of working condition of the readymade garment (RMG) units in Bangladesh for contribution to poverty reduction and employment creation for women.
They said this Tuesday on the eve of a photo exhibition on 'Life and struggle of garment workers in Bangladesh' organised by the high commissions of Canada and the UK and embassy of the Netherlands on the occasion of one-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse.
The photo exhibition by Andrew Biraj is scheduled to be held at the Drik Gallery in the city from April 23 - May 01. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was present.
Canada, the Netherlands and the UK are jointly funding the International Labour Organisation project 'Improving Working Conditions in the Ready-Made Garment Sector in Bangladesh' addressing the issues of fire safety, structural assessments of garment factory buildings, rehabilitation and skill training of survivors and other factory workers, strengthening factory inspection systems and implementing better work programme in Bangladesh.
Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden expressed hope that support of Canada, UK and the Netherlands to this ILO project will contribute to ensuring that Bangladesh will be better equipped to ensure safe and healthy employment for its people.
UK High Commissioner Robert Gibson said, "Since the Rana Plaza incident, significant progress has been made but significant challenges remain. The priority now is to maintain momentum. He said the garment sector remains vital to poverty reduction and the economic empowerment of women in Bangladesh, providing them with opportunities to work outside the home, to earn their own money, help support their family and to have an alternative to early marriage."
Ambassador Gerben S de Jong said, "Netherlands strongly believes that the Government of Bangladesh, employers' associations, trade unions, brands and the international community must continue to work together towards the realisation of the transformation of the RMG sector from one that is marred by the images we see before us to one that highlights empowered women working in a safe environment that Bangladesh can be proud to showcase to the world."
An Oxfam press release adds: To commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Rana Plaza Tragedy and to raise the public awareness of urban disasters, Oxfam, the world-wide development agency, is going to mark the day by holding different activities today (Thursday).
A photo and art exhibition on Rana Plaza and Urban Disaster will be inaugurated at 4:30 pm today at Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy, followed by a video show titled "Rana Plaza Tragedy: Are we ready to face the next big calamity." Recommendations to reduce disaster risk in urban areas are also expected to come in a discussion session after the video show.
To raise mass awareness, an open-for-all theatre, "Swapnapothik," featuring Rana Plaza will also be staged by Aranyak, a leading theatre group in Bangladesh, which will be preceded by a Candlelight Vigil at the same venue in remembrance of the victims.
In a statement Oxfam's Country Director in Bangladesh, Snehal V Soneji said, "As Bangladesh continues to urbanise rapidly, people are likely to be exposed more and more to preventable tragedies like the Rana Plaza disaster. What is required is a coordinated and concerted effort from the government to enforce building regulations and for citizens to demand better enforcement and implementation of risk reduction initiatives by the government and the private sector respectively."