New move to protect RMG workers' safety

The apparel sector leaders and the boards of Nirapon have committed to engage in an ongoing and constructive dialogue to protect the safety of the country's readymade garment (RMG) workers.

"All parties committed to engage in an ongoing, constructive dialogue in order to ensure continued partnership," said a joint communiqué of a meeting of stakeholders concerned.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Nirapon officials held the meeting in this regard on September 30, according to a Nirapon statement issued on Tuesday.

The target is to support a unified and sustainable approach to safety at the national level in order to sustain the significant progress made so far.

"In the meantime, Nirapon will continue operations while it simultaneously explores how best to support collaboration with the national safety initiative," it said.

Nirapon has been formed this year by 23 brands and retailers, including Walmart, Gap, Target, JC Penney and VF based on North America.

Majority of them were the signatory of Alliance that folded operations here in last December.

Alliance inspected fire, electrical and structural integrity of some 700 garment factories and remediated the flaws in last five years after the Rana Plaza building collapse.

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