Remarkable progress in garment sector: US diplomat

Remarkable progress has been made in revamping the RMG sector in Bangladesh since the Rana Plaza building collapse, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Nisha Desai Biswal said yesterday.

“The Rana Plaza tragedy has resulted in a real effort for transformation and if Bangladesh can overcome the challenges this will be a remarkable story of transformation,” she said to the press before leaving Dhaka for Uzbekistan.

Expressing the US commitment to partnering with Bangladesh in the process, Biswal acknowledged the progress the apparel sector had made in the wake of the worst-ever building collapse last year.

“We can say the loss of life was not in vain as it galvanised action in a way never before seen and that is the story we want to see unfold in Bangladesh,” the US diplomat said.

“The horror and tragedy has resulted in a real effort that has brought together government, industry labour and civil society, and international community in a sustained effort to transform the sector,” she said.

Biswal said that over 200 unions have been registered, over 2,000 factories have been inspected, and 30 factories have been shut, and that sent the message across the industry.

She also mentioned that over 200 new inspectors have been hired in the process. “These are very important milestones, but clearly the road ahead is much harder and work still needs to be done”.

“The regulatory agencies need to be set up and empowered to be able to sustain the work of inspections. Legislations that have been passed need to be implemented and more need to be processed.”

“EPZs must also come under this legislation so that they meet the same standards of worker safety and worker rights,” she said.

Asked whether Bangladesh would get back the GSP benefits which the US suspended after the Rana Plaza building collapse that killed 1,133 workers, she said: “I don't have any further information of that process since the process was undertaken by the US Trade Representative.”

The US will hold the next GSP review for Bangladesh in December.