EU sees ‘encouraging’ progress in Bangladesh RMG labour safety issues

The European Union commissioner on labour issues has said Bangladesh has made “encouraging progress” on post-Rana Plaza factory safety and labour rights issues, but more needs to be done.

Commissioner László Andor made the remarks at the opening of the review meeting of the ‘Sustainability Compact’, rolled out last year after the worst-ever factory building collapse in April that killed more than 1,100 people, mostly workers.

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Representatives of the European Union, Bangladesh, the US and the International Labour Organisation (ILO), who together agreed on the Compact that include a set of reform package in July last year, joined the meeting at Brussels on Monday.

The EU is the largest market of Bangladeshi products where the country enjoys duty-free market access for all its export products.

Commissioner Andor said since the tragic building collapse, the EU had been active to improve labour rights, working conditions and factory safety in the ready-made garment and knitwear industry in Bangladesh.

“There has been much progress since then,” he said.

“Labour law has been amended to strengthen freedom of association, collective bargaining and occupational health and safety; new trade unions have been created; more labour, fire and building safety inspections have been carried out.

“These are encouraging steps, but we need to advance further,” he said in his statement.

“Measures need to be taken urgently to ensure effective enforcement of the Bangladesh Labour Act.”

Issues, he said, requiring particular attention included better guarantees for freedom of association, protection of workers and trade unions from intimidation or discrimination, and ensuring that all workers have the same rights, including those working in export processing zones.

“Additional inspectors need to be recruited and inspections must continue. And we need to ensure that victims of the collapse receive all the support necessary for their rehabilitation.”

He said they would continue to monitor the implementation and results of the Compact. “A futher review is foreseen next year.”

He said the Commission remained “fully committed to pursuing its intense cooperation with Compact partners to achieve further tangible improvements”.

“I am convinced that, working together, we can achieve further progress by then,” he said, adding that: “this issue was not limited to Bangladesh though”.

“It concerns many developing countries and emerging economies”.

He said the Commission was cooperating with the ILO and partners to address existing shortcomings in occupational health and safety in the global supply chains.