Price should be increased considering huge investment in improving safety
July 17, 2018
Bangladesh Sustainability Compact was reviewed in Brussels on 25 June at the fourth high-level follow-up meeting. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed demanded it while delivering his speech at the fourth high-level follow-up meeting of the Sustainability Compact entitled “Five Years after the Launch of the Sustainability Compact: Taking Stock and Staying Engaged” held at Albert Borschette Conference Centre. At the event, progress made under the Compact as well as what remains to be done were discussed.
The Sustainability Compact aims at bringing lasting improvements on labor rights and factory safety in the ready-made garment industry of Bangladesh. Since its establishment, the Compact partners have actively engaged to address labor, health and safety issues and to encourage responsible business conduct by all stakeholders engaged in the ready-made garment (RMG) and knitwear industry in Bangladesh. As part of this process, regular follow-up meetings have taken place.
In response to the tragic incident of Rana Plaza in April 2013, the European Union, the United States, the International Labor Organization (ILO) and the Government of Bangladesh signed the “Compact for Continuous Improvements in Labor Rights and Factory Safety in the Ready-Made Garment and Knitwear Industry in Bangladesh”. The Government of Canada subsequently joined in January 2016.
The Compact is built on short and long-term commitments related to three inter-linked pillars: respect for labor rights; structural integrity of buildings and occupational safety and health; and responsible business conduct.
Within the framework of the Compact, the ILO has undertaken to support and monitor implementation of a number of specific commitments made by the parties.
Bangladesh has reported significant development achieved in the fields of workplace safety and compliance across its factories at the meeting. Minister Tofail said Bangladesh government has amended its Labour Law and the workers are enjoying their rights better than any time in the past.
He said Bangladesh has taken preparation to avail of GSP plus benefit as Bangladesh is marching ahead towards a developed country.
Source: