European Union Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna on Tuesday said the EU is keen on working together with Bangladesh to ‘avoid problems’ in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, but not thinking about having any sanction.
“We don’t want to have a sanction, but we’ll work together to change the situation,” he told reporters after a meeting on RMG affairs between European delegates and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leaders.
The meeting was organised by BGMEA at a city hotel.
Noting that the Rana Plaza collapse generated a grave scale of shock across the world, Hanna said: “As buyers, we’re also responsible… every one around the table has to work together to change the situation. We need to work together for a long time.”
The EU envoy said he hopes the new labour legislation going through Bangladesh parliament will give sufficient support for the betterment of working conditions in factories.
The EU is also concerned that the workers right to collective bargaining is ensured in the sector. Had incidents like Rana Plaza have not happened the workers would have been able to say no, he said.
Speaking on the occasion, BGMEA president Atiqul Islam said a good number of RMG factory buildings in the county has been identified that require some retrofitting during recent drives by BGMEA teams.
He urged the foreign agencies involved to come forward with low interest loans for the retrofitting of the RMG factories in the country.
Atiqul also urged the buyers and brands to come up with a ‘Unified Code of Conduct’ on the workers safety and rights related issues.
“At present, some buyers and brands have signed up a safety accord. A few brands, including Walmart and Gap, have also outlined their separate safety standards for Bangladeshi factories. But the management in the factories will feel it a lot easier and can ensure the safety confidently if they come up with a Unified Code of Conduct,” he said.
The meeting was also attended by British High Commissioner to Bangladesh Robert Winnington Gibson, Dutch Ambassador to Bangladesh Gerben de Jong and French Ambassador to Bangladesh Michel Trinquier.
Source: UNB Connect
