Foreign minister urges western buyers to pay a ‘little bit more’ for Bangladeshi clothes to ensure safety

Foreign Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali has urged the western buyers to pay a “little bit more” for Bangladeshi clothes so that factory owners can take additional measures to enhance safety and welfare of the labours.

The foreign ministry said he made the request when a German parliamentary delegation called on him at his office on Tuesday.
 
The delegation of five members of the Committee on Labour and Social Affairs has been visiting Bangladesh since Aug 22 as part of their Asia tour.
 
They will leave Dhaka on Wednesday.
 
The foreign ministry said they visited several factories in Dhaka and surrounding areas and exchanged views with relevant stakeholders.
 
During the meeting, the foreign minister apprised them about “how Bangladesh is marching forward despite having political challenges and other difficulties”.
 
Ali also briefed them on necessary measures taken by both government and the factory owners for the safety and security of the workers in the ready-made garment sector.
 
The government increased the wages of the workers employed in clothing industry almost by 250 percent in past few years, he told the team.
 
They also discussed bilateral relations including environmental issues and government’s actions concerning countering terrorism and violent extremism in the meeting, the foreign ministry said.