BD RMG sector much safer now: Bernicat

FT ONLINE

Bangladesh’s RMG sector is much safer than what it was in 2013 when the Rana Plaza disaster occurred, United States Ambassador to Dhaka Marcia Bernicat said.

Bangladesh and BGMEA must do a better job at marketing the dramatic improvements that are bringing the sector up to world-class standards, Bernicat said.

“However, we must all recognise that there is still work to be done on factory and building safety, that we must continue our efforts to ensure remediated factories stay safe, and that new workers are properly trained on safety practices,” she told a press conference on BGMEA-BUFT (BGMEA University of Fashion & Technology) journalism study tour through the international visitor leadership programme at the BGMEA headquarters.

“I urge BGMEA and the government of Bangladesh to come to a quick resolution on the Accord and Alliance’s extensions in Bangladesh.  Delays in approving their extensions will send a negative signal to buyers and consumers that Bangladesh is not committed to workplace safety,” she added.

The envoy thanked BGMEA for its work to propose significant reforms of the Bangladesh Labour Act and the EPZ Labour Law saying, “Recent proposals that have been discussed are movement in the right direction, but I call on BGMEA and the government of Bangladesh to do more to truly meet international standards, as recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO).”

BGMEA and the Bangladesh government are at a critical juncture as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from least developed country status in 2024, having already met all three criteria required for this important step, she said.

“Ahead of the International Labour Conference on May 28 and the Sustainability Compact on June 25, I encourage BGMEA and the government of Bangladesh to seize the moment and resolve the long-standing labour rights concerns now, so that Bangladesh can focus on preparing for its future as a middle income country and, eventually, a developed country,” said Bernicat.