‘Made in Bangladesh’ a pride: Norwegian minister

Norway will provide approximately $2.5m to improve the labour conditions in Bangladesh

Norway’s minister for international development and ILO Country Director Srinivas Reddy sign a deal at the organisation’s Dhaka office to support its programmes for promoting fundamental rights and labour relations in Bangladesh
Photo- Rajib Dhar/Dhaka Tribune

The Norwegian Minister for International Development Monday expressed his confidence for Bangladesh’s apparel sector and urged the government to ensure safe workplace for labourers.

“‘Made in Bangladesh’ is a pride. I encourage entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh. The brand should be maintained,” Heikki Eidsvoll Holmas said at a signing between Norway and International Labour Organisation’s Bangladesh office in Dhaka.

“We will talk to the government regarding the immediate changes and improvements in the sector. Safe workplace for the workers must be ensured. We don’t want tragedies like April 24 to happen again,” he added.

ILO-Bangladesh and the Royal Norwegian Embassy organised a signing ceremony for the Norwegian foreign ministry’s support for ILO’s programme “Activities to Promote Fundamental Rights and Labour Relations in Export Oriented Industries in Bangladesh.”

Under the agreement, Norway will provide NOK14.5m (approximately $2.5m) to improve the labour conditions in Bangladesh.
Heikki EIdsvoll Holmas signed for Norway and ILO Country Office Director Srinivas Reddy for the organisation.

National Coordination Committee for Workers’ Education representative Sukkur Mahmud in his speech emphasised on labour rights.

Bangladesh Employers Federation president Fazlul Hoque praised the ILO project, saying, “The project will certainly minimise the gap between labourers and entrepreneurs.”

Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar said the government was identifying risky factories and would later relocate them to Bousia in Munshiganj. The prime minister was closely monitoring the issues herself, he added.

“Of course it’s a gradual process but we are optimistic about the challenges ahead,” Shipar said.

Source: Dhakatribune