US ready to help Bangladesh

US Secretary of Labour Hilda L Solis on Friday assured that her department was ready to help Bangladesh with technical assistance and expertise in the readymade garment sector.
"The US Department of Labor stands ready to help, with technical assistance and expertise, to work with the government of Bangladesh to ensure that this horrific tragedy (Ashulia fire breakout) becomes a watershed moment for Bangladeshi workers' rights," she said.
The comments of Solis came through a statement of the US secretary of labour issued from Washington.
She also stressed support for stronger protections, from workplace health and safety to workers' right, to help them get organised and bargain collectively.
"I join US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan Mozena in extending heartfelt condolences to the people of Bangladesh and the many families who lost their loved ones," Solis said.
The fire breakout at Tazreen Fashions killed around 111 people on November 24.
"Just over a century ago, in March 1911, the Triangle Shirtwaist factory in New York City burned to the ground, killing 146 people, mainly young women. That fire was our call to action."
"The Tazreen Fashions factory fire is a similar call to action for Bangladesh and also for the many international buyers supplied by the country's garment factories."
"Investigations should be conducted and the perpetrators punished, but things cannot then return to business as usual. I know that change is not easy," she said.