Foreign Minister Dipu Moni briefs US Congressman and American Apparel and Footwear Association representatives on Bangladesh’s garments compliance initiatives

UsaNewsOnline : “Bangladesh government is fully committed to improve factory condition and has engaged all stakeholders of the garment sector to make a safer work environment for all workers”, Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni told Congressman Crawley,  the co-chair of Bangladesh Caucus  in the US Congress, when she met him in Washington DC MAY 15. She noted that Cabinet has approved the amendments to the 2006 labour law which is expected to be passed in the upcoming session of Parliament. The Minister stated that an ethical pricing and responsible role of the buyers are extremely critical for advancing factory safety and labour welfare. While apprising Congressman Crawley on the government’s immediate response to the tragic accidents in Savar and Tazreen, the Bangladesh Foreign Minister pointed out that a baseline survey is underway to find factories housed in faulty buildings and to take punitive measures against the violators of building and fire safety codes. She expressed her hope that within a year or so, Bangladesh’s trading partners  would see a positive change in its factories and find those compliant with the required standards. Congressman Crawley thanked Dr. Dipu Moni for the helpful update on Bangladesh Government’s initiatives and work programmes to better the factory conditions and enable the garment sector meet  future business challenges.

Congressman Crawley enquired about the status of cases filed against certain labour leaders on which the Bangladesh Minister briefed the Congressman. He assured Dr. Moni to share the information received from her with his other colleagues in the US Congress. Bangladesh Ambassador to the USA Akramul Qader , Mr. Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed,  Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Standing  Committee on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Mr. Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, senior officials of Bangladesh Foreign Ministry were with the Minister during her meeting with Mr. Crawley.

Earlier in the day a three member delegation of American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) led by its president and CEO Kevin M Burke called on the Bangladesh Foreign Minister at her hotel suite and informed the Minister that the international buyers have been closely monitoring Bangladesh government’s recent responses to address the factory safety issue.Press Release.