EU delegates promise $10m for RMG welfare fund

The visiting delegation of the European Union (EU) Parliament has agreed to provide $10 million for welfare fund for Ready Made Garment (RMG) workers in the country.

They made the commitment yesterday during a luncheon meeting between BGMEA and members of the  visiting EU delegation.
When the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Siddiqur Rahman urged the European Parliament members to provide $10 million for the welfare fund for Ready Made Garment (RMG) workers in the country, the visiting team assured then of providing the $ 10 million fund.
 “Our discussion was fruitful and effective. European parliament members have agreed to give us the $ 0 million for RMG workers welfare fund,” BGMEA president said at press briefing right after the luncheon meeting. 
EU representatives are currently 
visiting Bangladesh to monitor the progress on compliance in RMG factories which was set by Accord and Alliance earlier.     
BGMEA and the visiting EU team discussed about unified code of conduct, capacity building of the compliance, labour welfare funds and occupational safety and health of the workers.   
The EU delegates have urged the BGMEA members to ensure proper environment for the occupational safety and health for the workers.
The BGMEA president said “Europe is the most pivotal export hub for us as Bangladesh exports 60 per cent of its total RMG export to EU.”
200 plus inspectors have already been recruited to strengthen the capacity building of the RMG sector and the EU delegates have also appraised this initiative, he added.     
Bangladesh has already fulfilled the requirements as Accord has already inspected 70 per cent factories while Alliance has completed 63 per cent, the BGMEA president said. 
Praising the success of RMG sector, leader of the visiting 14-member EU delegation Bernd Lange said Bangladesh has witnessed steady growth so far.
“Bangladesh recovered tremendously right after the Rana Plaza tragedy and has maintained 6 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for so long which was possible, because of the contribution of the textile sector.” Said Bernd Lange, chairman of  International Trade Association (INTA).
BGMEA president and other high officials were present at the luncheon meeting.

EU delegates promise $10m for RMG welfare fund

The visiting delegation of the European Union (EU) Parliament has agreed to provide $10 million for welfare fund for Ready Made Garment (RMG) workers in the country. They made the commitment yesterday during a luncheon meeting between BGMEA and members of the visiting EU delegation. When the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Siddiqur Rahman urged the European Parliament members to provide $10 million for the welfare fund for Ready Made Garment (RMG) workers in the country, the visiting team assured then of providing the $ 10 million fund. Our discussion was fruitful and effective. European parliament members have agreed to give us the $ 0 million for RMG workers welfare fund, BGMEA president said at press briefing right after the luncheon meeting. EU representatives are currently visiting Bangladesh to monitor the progress on compliance in RMG factories which was set by Accord and Alliance earlier. BGMEA and the visiting EU team discussed about unified code of conduct, capacity building of the compliance, labour welfare funds and occupational safety and health of the workers. The EU delegates have urged the BGMEA members to ensure proper environment for the occupational safety and health for the workers. The BGMEA president said Europe is the most pivotal export hub for us as Bangladesh exports 60 per cent of its total RMG export to EU. 200 plus inspectors have already been recruited to strengthen the capacity building of the RMG sector and the EU delegates have also appraised this initiative, he added. Bangladesh has already fulfilled the requirements as Accord has already inspected 70 per cent factories while Alliance has completed 63 per cent, the BGMEA president said. Praising the success of RMG sector, leader of the visiting 14-member EU delegation Bernd Lange said Bangladesh has witnessed steady growth so far. Bangladesh recovered tremendously right after the Rana Plaza tragedy and has maintained 6 per cent Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for so long which was possible, because of the contribution of the textile sector. Said Bernd Lange, chairman of International Trade Association (INTA). BGMEA president and other high officials were present at the luncheon meeting.