UNB, Dhaka :
The European Commission has released its third annual report highlighting the pressing need for further action by the Bangladeshi authorities to improve labour conditions in the garment sector for sustainable trade.
While some improvements can be noted, sizeable efforts are still needed to ensure that real change takes place and is sustained over the long term, according to the report.
The report also highlighted progress achieved in the Bangladeshi garment sector through the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh, an international response to the 2013 tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex.
The European Union also called for further reinforcement of administrative capacities through recruitment and training of inspectors and for full transparency as regards the outcomes of factory inspections.
Further to that, the EU report underlined the need for continuous education, training and capacity building on issues such as labour rights,
and occupational safety and health. This technical status report, released on Friday in Brussels, follows the ones published on 8 July 2014 and 24 April 2015. It aims to reflect the state of play in the implementation of the Compact since its launch in July 2013.
Since the launch of the initiative, the Compact has contributed to tangible improvements in workplace safety.
The Compact played also a key role in opening up and supporting a dialogue on working conditions for employees of Bangladeshi garment sector with trade unions, employers, buyers and NGOs.
However, respect of workers’ rights remains a challenging area, with a particular urgency as regards freedom of association, according to a message received here from Brussels.
As regards improvement of legislative nature, the EU expects in particular further development of labour-related legislation and enforcement of the existing rules, in full compliance with the fundamental rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as defined by the International Labour Organisation (‘ILO’).
Those rights should be granted to all workers without exception, including to those in the export processing zones, it said.
The EU draws in particular attention to the need for more effective investigation and prosecution of alleged cases of anti-union discrimination and unfair labour practices.
Room for improvement also exists as regards registration procedures for new workers’ unions, which should ensure expeditious and non-arbitrary processing of applications, the report summary read.
On administrative aspects, the report points at the need for a new strategy for safety inspections and remediation, ensuring effective coordination between key Bangladeshi regulators with competences in that area.
The report, together with recommendations addressed to the authorities of Bangladesh, also formulates the wish for a strong longer-term engagement of international private companies involved in business operations in Bangladesh, which have been key in bringing progress on the ground over the last years.
The Sustainability Compact launched in July 2013 aims to promote continuous improvements in labour rights and factory safety in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. The initiative brings together the European Union, the Government of Bangladesh, the United States, Canada, the main markets for Bangladeshi garment production, as well as the ILO.
The European Commission has released its third annual report highlighting the pressing need for further action by the Bangladeshi authorities to improve labour conditions in the garment sector for sustainable trade.
While some improvements can be noted, sizeable efforts are still needed to ensure that real change takes place and is sustained over the long term, according to the report.
The report also highlighted progress achieved in the Bangladeshi garment sector through the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh, an international response to the 2013 tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza factory complex.
The European Union also called for further reinforcement of administrative capacities through recruitment and training of inspectors and for full transparency as regards the outcomes of factory inspections.
Further to that, the EU report underlined the need for continuous education, training and capacity building on issues such as labour rights,
and occupational safety and health. This technical status report, released on Friday in Brussels, follows the ones published on 8 July 2014 and 24 April 2015. It aims to reflect the state of play in the implementation of the Compact since its launch in July 2013.
Since the launch of the initiative, the Compact has contributed to tangible improvements in workplace safety.
The Compact played also a key role in opening up and supporting a dialogue on working conditions for employees of Bangladeshi garment sector with trade unions, employers, buyers and NGOs.
However, respect of workers’ rights remains a challenging area, with a particular urgency as regards freedom of association, according to a message received here from Brussels.
As regards improvement of legislative nature, the EU expects in particular further development of labour-related legislation and enforcement of the existing rules, in full compliance with the fundamental rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining, as defined by the International Labour Organisation (‘ILO’).
Those rights should be granted to all workers without exception, including to those in the export processing zones, it said.
The EU draws in particular attention to the need for more effective investigation and prosecution of alleged cases of anti-union discrimination and unfair labour practices.
Room for improvement also exists as regards registration procedures for new workers’ unions, which should ensure expeditious and non-arbitrary processing of applications, the report summary read.
On administrative aspects, the report points at the need for a new strategy for safety inspections and remediation, ensuring effective coordination between key Bangladeshi regulators with competences in that area.
The report, together with recommendations addressed to the authorities of Bangladesh, also formulates the wish for a strong longer-term engagement of international private companies involved in business operations in Bangladesh, which have been key in bringing progress on the ground over the last years.
The Sustainability Compact launched in July 2013 aims to promote continuous improvements in labour rights and factory safety in the ready-made garment industry in Bangladesh. The initiative brings together the European Union, the Government of Bangladesh, the United States, Canada, the main markets for Bangladeshi garment production, as well as the ILO.
