Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus reaffirmed the Interim Government’s commitment to implementing extensive labour reforms to attract more foreign buyers and improve the country's labour standards.
Professor Yunus made the remarks during a meeting with a high-level delegation from the United States, comprising labour and brand representatives, at his office in Tejgaon on Monday, reads a press release.
"We want to align our labour laws with global standards. This is my commitment," Yunus told the delegation. He added that the Interim Government had appointed a special envoy to spearhead reforms addressing the concerns of local and international labour rights groups, the International Labour Organisation (ILO), and Western countries.
The delegation was led by Thea Mei Lee, Deputy Undersecretary of the US Department of Labour, and Kelly Fay Rodriguez, Special Representative for International Labour Affairs. Both officials expressed strong support for Yunus’s initiatives, which aim to establish worker-friendly conditions in Bangladesh's garment and footwear industries.
"These efforts are a testament to what the Yunus-led Interim Government has achieved in the past three and a half months," said Kelly Fay Rodriguez, referring to the 18-point agreement signed between the government and local unions.
The US officials advocated for granting union rights in factories and conducting annual wage reviews to help workers cope with inflation. "Union rights and fair wages are good for business and the economy," said Thea Mei Lee, emphasizing that unions also serve as "a training ground for democracy."
Senior representatives from leading US brands, including PVH Corp., Calvin Klein, and Gap Inc., attended the meeting. Michael Bride, Senior Vice President of PVH Corp., highlighted the importance of reforms and noted that similar initiatives had succeeded in Cambodia.
Professor Yunus urged international brands to announce price increases for their orders every January, enabling Bangladeshi manufacturers to adjust worker wages accordingly.
US Charge d'Affaires Meghan Boulden also voiced support for the reforms, stating, "We want to be partners with you."
The meeting underscores the collective efforts of Bangladesh and international stakeholders to create a more equitable and competitive labour environment.
