British Minister of State in the Department for International Development Alan Duncan said on Wednesday that genuine progress had been made in the country’s readymade garment sector following the Rana Plaza collapse.
“We want to see continued growth, rather than boycott or abandonment, so that the sector continues to flourish as an important part of the economy, thus increasing the number of safer and better jobs for women in particular,” he said at a parliamentary debate on Rana Plaza at the UK House of Commons.
The whole world was shocked by Rana Plaza tragedy, the country’s deadliest industrial accident, last year as more than 1,100 people were killed and another 2,500 were injured in the incident.
Duncan visited Dhaka last month, the second after the disaster, to see progress in the garment sector.
He said a new labour law had been introduced that would allow greater freedom of association and would increase occupational health and safety for workers.
“The UK will continue to support work towards the goal of building a healthy, safe and sustainable garment sector in Bangladesh that benefits everyone.”
Speaking of compensation of workers, Duncan said Primark and some other British companies had made contributions.
“I use this opportunity today to ask other UK firms to step up and contribute in order to help Rana Plaza workers,” he said, adding: “I urge all brands, companies and retailers to think about their sourcing practices and to introduce more transparency of supply chains.”