BSS, Dhaka :
Speakers at a commemoration event to mark the second Rana Plaza anniversary recognised the progress made towards creating a safer readymade garment (RMG) sector while stressing the need for further improvements to working conditions and worker rights in the industry.
“Continuous efforts have been made by the government and its partners over the last two years to transform our apparel industry,” said state minister for labour and employment Mujibul Haq Chunnu.
Recalling the tragic garment factory collapse in Savar at a commemoration programme, Haq said the government with support from different development partners implemented a number of programmes to enhance workplace conditions and ensure safety and security of garment workers to prevent recurrence of such accidents.
Ministry of Labour and Employment with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) organised the programme at Sonargaon Hotel on Thursday evening, attended by high government officials, diplomats, industry people and representatives of garment employees and workers.
The event was supported by Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom which are funding ILO activities to enhance working conditions in Bangladesh.
A minute’s silence was observed at the event in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Rana Plaza collapse on April 24, 2013.
Listing some of the major development that happened following the Rana Plaza collapse, the state minister said almost three-quarters of garment factories have now been assessed for structural and fire safety with only a very small number being deemed too unsafe to operate.
“The capacity of the Labour Inspectorate and Fire Service is much stronger while legislative amendments have led to the establishment of many more unions. These changes will play a crucial role in charting the future course of the industry, turning it into a sustainable sector,” he added.
At the event, the ILO also released a report on ‘Rana Plaza two years on: Progress made and challenges ahead for Bangladesh RMG sector’. The report noted that over the last two years the government worked closely with the ILO and a wide range of partners to improve working conditions in the RMG sector.
To date, over 2,500 out of 3,500 export-oriented RMG factories have been inspected for structural, fire and electrical safety. The Labour Inspectorate and Fire Service are carrying out a more effective regulatory oversight role following extensive capacity building. Efforts are underway to enhance Occupational Safety and Health while rehabilitation support has been provided to Rana Plaza survivors, the report said.
Speakers at a commemoration event to mark the second Rana Plaza anniversary recognised the progress made towards creating a safer readymade garment (RMG) sector while stressing the need for further improvements to working conditions and worker rights in the industry.
“Continuous efforts have been made by the government and its partners over the last two years to transform our apparel industry,” said state minister for labour and employment Mujibul Haq Chunnu.
Recalling the tragic garment factory collapse in Savar at a commemoration programme, Haq said the government with support from different development partners implemented a number of programmes to enhance workplace conditions and ensure safety and security of garment workers to prevent recurrence of such accidents.
Ministry of Labour and Employment with support from the International Labour Organisation (ILO) organised the programme at Sonargaon Hotel on Thursday evening, attended by high government officials, diplomats, industry people and representatives of garment employees and workers.
The event was supported by Canada, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom which are funding ILO activities to enhance working conditions in Bangladesh.
A minute’s silence was observed at the event in remembrance of those who lost their lives in the Rana Plaza collapse on April 24, 2013.
Listing some of the major development that happened following the Rana Plaza collapse, the state minister said almost three-quarters of garment factories have now been assessed for structural and fire safety with only a very small number being deemed too unsafe to operate.
“The capacity of the Labour Inspectorate and Fire Service is much stronger while legislative amendments have led to the establishment of many more unions. These changes will play a crucial role in charting the future course of the industry, turning it into a sustainable sector,” he added.
At the event, the ILO also released a report on ‘Rana Plaza two years on: Progress made and challenges ahead for Bangladesh RMG sector’. The report noted that over the last two years the government worked closely with the ILO and a wide range of partners to improve working conditions in the RMG sector.
To date, over 2,500 out of 3,500 export-oriented RMG factories have been inspected for structural, fire and electrical safety. The Labour Inspectorate and Fire Service are carrying out a more effective regulatory oversight role following extensive capacity building. Efforts are underway to enhance Occupational Safety and Health while rehabilitation support has been provided to Rana Plaza survivors, the report said.
