BGMEA, BKMEA form committee for unified code of conduct for RMG sector

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association have formed a joint committee for working on a unified code of conduct for the apparel industry to end the audit fatigue.

The leaders of both the associations had discussions on the issue at BGMEA’s PR office at Gulshan in the capital on Sunday and formed the 11-member committee, a press release said.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan presided over the meeting which was also attended by BGMEA vice-presidents Md Shahidullah Azim and Miran Ali, Director Asif Ashraf, BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem, vice-presidents Fazlee Shamim Ehsan and Md Akhter Hossain Apurbo, and Director Imran Kader Turjo.

The committee, headed by BGMEA Vice-President Miran Ali, will carry out thorough assessment of feasibility of a common code of conduct for social audits, including national laws, rules, and policies and international conventions such as UNGP along with buyers’ code of conduct and third-party audit protocols, read the release.

The committee will take cognisance of the local context while adhering to local and international principles with utmost consideration.

The committee will also engage with international stakeholders, including brands, trade associations, academia and social partners to formulate a feasible path to end the audit fatigue.