Probe anti-union activities: EU
The European Union has called for speedy trial and investigation into the incidents of anti-union discrimination in Bangladesh, including those in export processing zones.
“Trade union registration must be transparent and carried out expeditiously in accordance with objective criteria, and unfair labour practices have to be effectively prevented,” three EU commissioners said in a joint statement.
They said the Bangladesh government has shown a clear commitment, but many things are left there to be completed.
“Repairs and remediation plans in all factories have notably still to be effectively and diligently implemented.”
They said the EU and other donors have mobilised funds that are available to companies facing financing difficulties, in particular SMEs.
Neven Mimica, the EU commissioner for international cooperation and development; Marianne Thyssen, European commissioner for employment, social affairs, skills and labour mobility, and Cecilia Malmstrom, commissioner for trade, issued the joint statement from Brussels on Friday, ahead of the third anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy.
They said the EU will remain closely engaged to bring lasting improvement to Bangladesh's garment industry.
The commissioners said an active engagement of the EU, Bangladesh and other partners has brought "tangible progress" on the ground. "A number of labour rights are better protected in Bangladesh today than they were two years ago. Building and workplace safety has also improved," the statement said.
The Bangladesh Sustainability Compact opened a dialogue and supported exchanges with stakeholders, including trade unions, employers, buyers and NGOs in the EU, as well as in Bangladesh.
As a partner in the Bangladesh Sustainability Compact, the EU—together with the government of Bangladesh, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and the governments of the US and Canada— regularly assesses progress and contributes to setting priorities for future work.
The EU does that to foster respect for fundamental labour rights and ensure worker safety and health in Bangladesh's garment sector.
In the coming weeks, the EU will publish a third report on the implementation of the compact, which will provide a detailed overview of achievements and of work that remains to be done.
Improving the responsible management of the supply chain in the garment sector is an important issue not just in Bangladesh, but equally in other countries, they said.
In order to discuss what action is needed, which initiatives are already ongoing and whether there would be added value of complementary action at the EU, the commission will host a high-level conference next week.
Meanwhile, the United States has reaffirmed its commitment to work together with Bangladesh to prevent recurrence of Rana Plaza-like tragedy.
"We recommit ourselves to the future, to working together with Bangladesh, its workers, employers, and government to prevent such a tragedy from happening again, to building a better and more vibrant readymade garment sector," US Ambassador Marcia Bernicat said in a statement yesterday to mark the third anniversary of the tragedy.
"Rana Plaza's tragic collapse bequeathed to all of us a responsibility, a shared responsibility as government officials, workers, factory owners, and consumers to create safe working conditions and to ensure workers have a voice."
Over the last three years, more than 3,600 factories have been inspected for safety, and 39 dangerous factories have been closed.
The labour and employment ministry has hired and trained more than 200 inspectors, and launched a toll-free help line.
Thousands of factories have taken steps to improve workplace safety, and 31 factories have been fully remediated.
"These are all tremendous accomplishments that may have saved lives," said the US ambassador.
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