UK Minister for International Development Alan Duncan yesterday announced the plan to start three projects to help improve working conditions and safety standard in Bangladesh’s garment industry.
“Almost a year on from the collapse, it is inspiring to hear how the survivors have sought to maintain their dignity and re-establish their livelihoods, despite such severe, crushing injuries and psychological trauma. We can all learn from their stories,” said Duncan.
The UK minister started the day with visiting survivors of the collapsed Rana Plaza building and the Centre for the Rehabilitation of the Paralysed (CRP) in Savar, which receives funding from UK aid.
“The factory collapse shone a spotlight on working conditions in the garment industry. We have since ramped up our efforts to improve safety and working conditions in Bangladesh’s garment sector,” he said.
“We must not forget that the garment sector remains vital to poverty reduction and the economic empowerment of women in Bangladesh. It is worth over £13bn and provides over four million jobs for people, 70-80% of whom are women. The garment industry supports a further 25 million people,” he continued.
This is having a positive impact on social change and women’s empowerment, providing them with opportunities to work outside the home, to earn their own money, help support their family and to have an alternative to early marriage.
The three projects will help staff, factory owners, management, supervisors and workers to work together to improve the working environment and productivity by addressing issues such as fire safety, absenteeism, working hours, take-home pay and efficiency.