RMG sector saw progress but still not enough: US ambassador

Although progress has been made in the garment sector for the RMG workers' betterment following the Rana Plaza tragedy, it is nowhere enough, US Ambassador Peter Haas has said.

As Bangladesh moves to graduate from LDC status, more will be expected of it, especially in terms of workers' safety and labour rights becoming ingrained in the country's ethos, he said.

The envoy was addressing a stakeholders' roundtable yesterday, organised by Solidarity Center Bangladesh, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Rana Plaza collapse.

The event titled "Workers' Health and Safety and Trade Union Rights: Where Are We Now?" was held at The Daily Star Centre.

Citing recent incidents, including the massive fire at the Bangabazar Shopping Complex in Dhaka, Haas highlighted the need for greater progress in industrial safety beyond the export-oriented RMG sector.

He expressed his frustration at the absence of the representatives from the BGMEA, BKMEA, and the government (Department of Labour, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments) at the roundtable. He said their no-show suggests that they are indifferent toward the issue.

However, the US envoy praised labour leaders for their tireless efforts that resulted in positive changes, particularly in the RMG sector.

"Today, garment factories are safer due to agreements among unions, global brands, and employers who worked together under the former Accord and Alliance," he added.

He emphasised the need to protect workers' health and safety standards, strengthen the workers' rights to form and join independent trade unions, and collectively bargain for better working conditions.

The diplomat called on governments, international brands, and buyers to do more to demand that labour rights are respected throughout their supply chains.

"I believe that through our collective work and commitment, we can continue to make progress in creating sustainable manufacturing that will support workers, the industry, and the economy," he added.

A one-minute silence was observed at the programme in memory of the Rana Plaza tragedy victims. The collapse of the building on April 24, 2013, left at least 1,136 people dead and many others injured.

Delivering the welcome speech, Kutubuddin Ahmed, general secretary of IndustriAll Bangladesh Council, said that Rana Plaza owner Sohel Rana was found responsible in an investigation, but he has not been "punished enough".

Kutubuddin demanded that those responsible for the disaster be handed highest punishment. He also said forming trade unions for garment workers is essential for their emancipation.

Monika Hartsel, deputy country director of Solidarity Center Bangladesh, said, "We mourn for the injustice in the system that allows this preventable tragedy to occur. Today in their memories, let us reconnect ourselves to the collective struggle for a safe, healthy, and just workplace."

Nazma Akhter, executive director of the Awaj Foundation, a labour rights platform, called upon American buyers to mandatorily hold the factories accountable for violation of labour rights.

The participants voiced their concerns over the lack of trade unions in garment factories.

Rajequzzaman Ratan, president of Samajtantrik Sramik Front, said only a few garment factories have trade unions, and most of those are "pocket unions" subservient to the factory owners.

According to him, trade union leaders are always in fear of losing jobs when they join unions. The factory inspectors are not held accountable for disasters, he added.

Rajequzzaman demanded hospitals be set up near industrial areas to provide urgent treatment to RMG workers.

AKM Nasim, country program director at Solidarity Center Bangladesh, stressed the need for amending labour laws to accommodate the demands of RMG workers.

Rashadul Alam Raju, general secretary of Bangladesh Independent Garment Workers' Union Federation, delivered the keynote address at the event. He underscored the need for more effective efforts to protect workers' rights in laws in accordance with internationally recognised labour standards.