RMG?COMPLIANCE
Donors offer funds for sick factories
HUMAYUN KABIR BHUIYAN
Development partners and international agencies have put forward a proposal to the government to fund insolvent apparel factories in the country to help them maintain international standards with regards to safety and safe working conditions.
They want to help our RMG sector through a remediation programme funded by development partners and international agencies. Countries including United States and France want to fund the programme to assist the insolvent and unsafe RMG entities who are willing to comply with the rules and regulations in line with the international standards, a top government official told The Independent yesterday,
Replying to a question, he said that the amount of money may range from $20 million to $50 million. The official said that Economic Relations Division (ERD) has been given the responsibility to negotiate with the development partners and agencies. Money will be given after determining the eligibility of the factories.
Meanwhile, European Ambassador to Bangladesh Pierre Mayaudon said that the government would hopefully issue the rules of the revised Bangladesh Labour Act at the end of next month to give full effect of the law.
We have got strong signal that the very important and critical rules of the revised labour act will be issued by the Bangladesh government at the end of August, he told The Independent and another daily after a meeting between three secretaries (foreign, commerce and labour) and five ambassadors (EU, US, France, Canada and the Netherlands) at the foreign ministry.
This is a platform constituted to discuss different aspects of Bangladeshs readymade garment (RMG) sector. This was the groups first meeting after February. Chaired by US Ambassador Marcia Bertnicat, the days meeting was attended, among others, by representatives of organisations like Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and International Labour Organisation (ILO).
When asked what positive changes it will bring if the rules of the labour act are issued, the EU ambassador said that it will allow the revised labour act to cover every aspects of the industry. Now, its not possible in certain sectors, he added.
Following the meeting, Foreign Secretary Shahidul Haque said that the meeting discussed different ways to help the RMG sector more. He said it was also discussed how the international community can help Bangladeshs RMG sector after its elevation from the least development country (LDC) status, as Bangladesh will not enjoy certain privileges after its departure from the LDC family.
Replying to a question, the foreign secretary said that the international community is very happy with the progress made by Bangladesh in the RMG sector.
US ambassador said that progress has been made, but more progress is desired.
We continue to make progress. Thats a very promising sign, she told reporters after the meeting.
Noting real progress, the Dutch ambassador said that the issue of factory inspectors have been solved and there has been progress with regard to factory remediation programme.
Governments of countries like US and France as well as International Finance Corporation are willing to support the remediation programme, he said, emphasising on the industrys investment in the remediation process.
Canadian High Commissioner Benot-Pierre Larame said appointment and training of factory inspectors and increase in budget are concrete sign of commitment to avert another incident Rana Plaza-like incident.
