The International community on Thursday reiterated its commitment to remain engaged with Bangladesh to help make its RMG sector’s transformation a success and turn it into a global model.
They also expressed satisfaction over the progress made so far and sought ‘sustained actions’ from all the stakeholders in Bangladesh, including the government, to ensure safety and rights of workers in the country’s RMG (readymade garment) sector keeping up the momentum.
Speakers came up with the view at a high-level event – ‘One Year after Rana Plaza: Progress and the way Forward’ – at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in the city.
The commemoration programme was jointly organised by the government of Bangladesh and the international Labour Organization with support from Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Expatriate Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Engr Khandker Mosharraf Hossain spoke at the event as the chief guest.
International Labour organization (ILO) Deputy Director General for Field Operations and Partnerships Gilbert Fossoun Houngbo, Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar, US Ambassador Dan W Mozena, European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna, British High Commissioner Robert Gibson, Dutch Ambassador Gerben Sjoerd de Jong, Canadian High Commissioner Heather Cruden, ILO Country Director Srinivasa B Reddy, BGMEA President M Atiqul Islam, BKMEA first vice president M Hatem, Bangladesh Employers’ Federation President Tapan Chowdhury, IndustriALL Bangladesh Secretary General Roy Ramesh Chandra and Chairperson of National Coordination Committee for workers Education M Zafrul Hasan also spoke on the occasion.
Speaking at the function, Mosharraf Hossain said it has been a year of continuous efforts by the government towards the goal of ensuring safety for the workers and to prevent another Rana Plaza type incident in the future.
“We need to work together in the future too to avert any tragedy like Rana Plaza building collapse and ensure safe and secured workplace,” he said.
Gilbert Houngbo said he was encouraged by what had been achieved and stressed the importance of keeping up the momentum to deliver on all aspects of the National Tripartite Plan of action (NTPA). “ILO stands ready to support…we’re focusing on Bangladesh.”
“Much has been done…we also need to think ahead in terms of preparedness, through a workplace injury insurance scheme for example,” he said laying emphasis on social dialogue.
Robert Gibson said everyone has a role to play in making this a safe industry, and one that will have a positive impact on social change and on women’s empowerment.
“Let’s use this anniversary to maintain momentum and push for further progress. We must ensure that the commitments made translate into real changes,” he said.
The British envoy also said the UK will continue to support efforts that will help the garment industry in Bangladesh be more than a source of revenue but a source of pride.
William Hanna said the EU remains ready to assist Bangladesh’s ongoing reform of the RMG sector, so that it can continue to benefit from preferential access to the EU market.
Dan Mozena said Rana Plaza continues to be a clarion call for deep, fundamental change in Bangladesh’s apparel sector.
In response to that call for change, so many things have happened over the past year to launch this transformation and put Bangladesh on track to achieve a strong, dynamic, profitable garment industry, one where workers are fairly compensated, fairly treated, and have a voice in their working conditions to ensure their safety and security, he said.
Heather Cruden said though significant improvement has been made much remains to be done.
She said Canada is committed to supporting the government of Bangladesh’s efforts to improve working conditions in the RMG sector in line with international labour standards.
“We believe that Canada’s support to ILO project will contribute to ensuring that Bangladesh will be better equipped to ensure safe and healthy employment for its people,” Cruden said.
Gerben Jong said the Netherlands strongly believes that the government of Bangladesh, employers’ associations, trade unions, brands and the international community must continue to work together towards the realization of the transformation of the RMG sector.
Tapan Chowdhury said, “We’ve seen important results in terms of factory inspections, labour law amendments and rehabilitation programmes and we’re committed to completing those actions set out in the NTPA.”
Zafrul Hasan said, “While progress is being made, we need to see that working conditions are further improved and rights upheld.”
At the same time, he said, they expect that all survivors and victims’ families receive their appropriate compensation in a timely manner.
A minute of silence was observed in remembrance of the 1,135 who lost their lives in the collapse of Rana Plaza on April 24, 2013. Most of the victims were workers from the RMG factories housed in the building.
The government of Bangladesh and the ILO are implementing a three-and-a-half-year initiative aimed at improving working conditions in the RMG sector in Bangladesh.
The USD $24.21 million RMG programme is funded by Canada, the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
Source: UNB Connect
