Published : 05 Jun 2013, 09:39 AM
The United Kingdom has announced the equivalent of $27 million in aid to improve working condition in Bangladesh's ready-made garment factories and for skill development of its workers through training.
British Minister of State for International Development (DFID) Alan Duncan announced the aid when he visited the victims of Savar’s Rana Plaza collapse on Tuesday, the BBC said.
The Rana Plaza collapse, which claimed more than 1100, evoked worldwide concern on labour safety and working conditions in Bangladesh’s ready-made garment industry.
There were calls to boycott sourcing garments from Bangladesh.
Many top European companies inked an agreement with Bangladesh garment producers to ensure labour safety.
UK’s aid plan is significant because it is one of the importers of Bangladeshi garments.
Duncan said the aid money will be used to boost safety arrangements in factories and develop skills to make labour more productive.
The junior minister said an expert panel will visit Bangladesh to assess whether factory buildings were safe.
He also said British business will need to watch out labour welfate and push for ethical trading agreements with overseas suppliers.