Apparel-sector leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to maintain a safe and sustainable working environment and harmonious labour relations in the country.
A delegation of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), led by its President Faruque Hassan, made the commitment in a meeting with Guy Ryder, Director-General (DG) of the ILO, at its headquarters in Geneva on Friday.
The delegation also comprises BGMEA Vice-President Miran Ali, and directors Asif Ashraf, Tanvir Ahmed and Abdullah Hil Rakib.
Shengjie Li, Senior Adviser, Office of the ILO DG, was also present at the meeting, according to a press statement.
The BGMEA president presented an overview of the progress, made by local RMG industry in compliance with the ILO conventions - ratified by Bangladesh.
He said unprecedented safety initiatives coupled with massive trainings of workers - jointly taken by the government, brands, the ILO and development partners - have led to a tangible transformation in Bangladesh's garment industry, making it a role model for others to emulate.
Moreover, the industry is fully committed to carrying on this momentum to forge a safer industry that reflects the label 'Made in Bangladesh' with pride.
Faruque Hassan also apprised the ILO DG of the initiatives and programmes, including the ILO's Better Work Programme, in RMG sector to promote descent working conditions in factories.
He also informed the ILO DG about the massive training programme - supported by the ITC-ILO - on worker-management relations, occupational safety and health, and labour laws for both factory managements and workers.
The BGMEA has partnered with the ILO on Social Dialogue and Harmonious Industrial Relations (SDIR) project in garment factories, which aims to promote social dialogue and harmonious industrial relations in RMG sector.
Faruque Hassan noted that the government has also proactively taken a number of steps, including amending the Labour Law and facilitating passage of the Labour Rules, making elected participation committee and safety committee mandatory in garment factories.
Furthermore, a welfare fund has been created for the workers of export-oriented industries, where the apparel industry alone contributed more than US$ 12 million this year, and it is increasing in line with the growth of RMG export, the BGMEA president added.
The ILO DG praised the progress made by Bangladesh in making workplaces safer and improving working conditions in apparel industry.
