Bangladesh Ambassador in Washington Akramul Qader has met US Congressman Keith Ellison and briefed him on the series of steps taken by the government to ensure labour safety and labour rights in Bangladesh.
During the meeting with Ellison, also a member of the House Committee on Financial Services, held in Capitol Hill, he also discussed the ongoing war crimes trials in Bangladesh, according to a media release received here from Washington on Friday.
The envoy said the Bangladesh government recently passed Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Act-2013, now focusing on labour safety, a national committee and a working group have been relentlessly working to formulate the rules under the Act.
Among other initiatives, he said, the Bangladesh government adopted National Occupational Safety and Health Policy, established a Taskforce on Building and Fire Safety, upgraded and strengthened the office of the Inspector General of Factories and Establishments, initiated assessment of the structural integrity of all active RMG factories, established worker fire safety hotline and establishing public accessible database on safety issues in ready-made garment factories.
All possible steps have been taken by the government but a complete transformation should not be expected overnight, he added.
The Congressman appreciated the progresses Bangladesh has been making in various areas.
In response to an invitation to visit Bangladesh, Congressman Ellison expressed his hope that he might pay a visit soon.
Bangladesh Ambassador also informed that the International Crimes Tribunals, Bangladesh (ICT-BD) is only trying those who were allegedly involved in the crimes against humanity during the liberation war in 1971 and none was brought to the trial for his political faith or affiliation.
He said the ICT-BD trials are open and transparent; most uniquely provides the right to appeal to the full bench of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court.
Source: UNBConnect
