The United States has welcomed Chief Advisor Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus’s assurances that labor reforms are a top priority of the Interim Government.
“We support Bangladesh further strengthening the right of workers to form and join independent trade unions, and to collectively bargain for better working conditions,” said a media note issued by the US embassy here today.
The US mission issued the statement marking conclusion of the US delegation on labour issue visit to Bangladesh to demonstrate support for the country’s economy, democracy, and workers.
The delegation was led by State Department Special Representative Kelly M. Fay Rodríguez and Department of Labor Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee.
The US embassy’s statement said that the US is committed to working with Bangladesh to ensure that industry practices support stable employment, quality working conditions, and living wages that allow Bangladeshi workers and their families to thrive.
“We are grateful for the opportunity to support the people of Bangladesh at this historic moment, and for the chance to join here together in Dhaka to affirm our shared commitment to independent, democratic trade unions, for Bangladeshi workers and the businesses that employ them,” read the statement.
At this unique moment for democracy and governance in Bangladesh, it said, resolving longstanding challenges to the exercise of labor rights will be critical to ensuring national economic prosperity.
Worker empowerment is essential to sustainable and inclusive economic growth, respect for human rights, democratic resilience, and gender equity and inclusion.
“The United States also recognizes that the well-being of workers in the global economy is a shared responsibility for governments, buyers, employers, regulators, as well as labor unions,” said the note.
This includes ensuring good, safe working conditions where workers’ rights and dignity are respected and improving labor rights, particularly on freedom of association and collective bargaining in the RMG sector, it added.
International labor experts UNI Global Union’s General Secretary Christy Hoffman and Worker Rights Consortium Executive Director Scott Nova joined the delegation that was comprised with representatives from USAID, senior leadership from major American brands associated with the American Apparel and Footwear Association.
Participating American brands – Gap Inc., PVH Corp., and VF Corporation – collectively purchase approximately $1.8 billion dollars annually from Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
