US officials, BGMEA discuss labour issues

US labour department officials met apparel sector leaders to discuss the country's readymade garment (RMG) sector's labour rights and workplace safety issues, according to a statement.

Margaret Scotti, Area Advisor for South Asia and Europe and Leena Z Khan, International Relations Officer at the US Department of Labor paid a courtesy call on Faruque Hassan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), at the latter's office in the city on Tuesday.

Scott A Brandon, Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs and Md Saifuzzaman Mehrab, Labor Assistant at the Embassy of the USA in Dhaka and BGMEA directors Asif Ashraf, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Vidiya Amrit Khan and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell Shams Mahmud were also present during the meeting.

They had discussions about various issues pertaining to the country's RMG industry including workplace safety, environmental sustainability, workers' rights and well-being, the statement added.

BGMEA chief Hassan appraised the US government officials about the significant strides made by Bangladesh's RMG industry in the last several years which have earned the sector global accolades as one of the safest industries in the world.

He also highlighted the apparel industry's committed efforts in the area of environmental sustainability, saying Bangladesh has the highest number of green garment factories across the globe.

munni_fe@yahoo.com