US envoy sees labour rights protection 'a pre-condition'

US Charge d'Affaires Geeta Pasi poses for photographs with the recipients of the Cotton Council International License Award at a function in Dhaka yesterday. Square Spinning Mills Ltd and Malek Spinning Mills Ltd received awards for their excellent performance in yarn production. PHOTO: US Embassy in Dhaka

US Chargé d'Affaires Geeta Pasi yesterday said the protection of labour rights is a pre-condition for receiving duty-free access to the US market for Bangladeshi garment and knitwear exports.
The US diplomat said her government has been studying a request made by a US labour organisation to review Bangladesh's eligibility for the Generalized System of Preferences, a system that will give duty free access to Bangladeshi garments.
She said: “The US government recognizes Bangladesh's interest in obtaining duty-free access to the US market for Bangladesh's garment exports. Throughout the world, in all of our free-trade agreements, the US government's position is consistent: the condition for special trade benefits is the protection of worker rights and the freedom of association.”
The US government will help Bangladesh in its efforts to improve the rights of its workers, she added.
Geeta Pasi was speaking at the Cotton Council International License Award Ceremony in Dhaka as the chief guest. Square Spinning Mills Ltd and Malek Spinning Mills Ltd have received the Cotton Council International USA for their excellent performance in yarn production.
She said labour groups and apparel industry representatives in the United States also sought to assist Bangladesh in protecting worker rights.
“However, these goals can ultimately be accomplished by Bangladesh's government, industry and labour representatives working together constructively,” she said.
Streesing the need for businesses and government to work together with other groups to preserve fundamental human rights, including the rights of workers, Geeta Pasi said businesses need to provide constructive feedback to the government on its anti-corruption and reform efforts.
“Investors living and working in Bangladesh need to continue to support the government's efforts to reach elections by the end of 2008,” she said.
Terming labour rights as the key component of today's international trade, she said government, industry owners and labourers have already been working together in Bangladesh to protect the rights of workers.
She asked for the continuation of anti-corruption campaign in a fair and transparent manner.
She said textiles and apparel are key sectors for Bangladesh exports and high quality US cotton can greatly improve the quality of ready-made garments produced in Bangladesh.