The European Commission yesterday lauded Bangladesh's progress in efforts to ensure workplace safety in the garment sector.

The commission urged the government to effectively implement the labour law, which was amended in parliament on July 15 last year. In the amended law, the government allowed full freedom of association by the workers at the factory level.

A statement by László Andor, European commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion, said there has been much progress since the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013. Andor said the labour law has been amended to strengthen freedom of association, collective bargaining and occupational health and safety. New trade unions have been created and more labour, fire and building safety inspections have been carried out, he added.

“These are encouraging steps, but we need to advance further. Measures need to be taken urgently to ensure effective enforcement of the Bangladesh Labour Act,” Andor said.

The commission said issues requiring particular attention include 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 building collapse receive all the support necessary for their rehabilitation,” it said.

“We need to continue to monitor the implementation and results of the compact.”

The statement was issued in a meeting held in Brussels to review the progress made under the Sustainability Compact, an agreement signed by the European Union, Bangladesh, the US and International Labour Organisation in July 2013.

Tofail Ahmed, commerce minister, highlighted the county's progress in workplace safety at the meeting.

Andor said the commission remains committed to pursuing its intense cooperation with compact partners to achieve further tangible improvements.

A future review will come next year. “I am convinced that, working together, we can achieve further progress by then,” he said.