Momentum must not be lost in the drive to tackle poor safety and labour conditions for workers in the Bangladesh garment sector, International Development Secretary, UK, Justine Greening has warned six months on from the Rana Plaza factory collapse in Dhaka that killed at least 1,133 people.
She set out how new UK support to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) will build on action already taken by brands, factory owners and both the Bangladesh and British governments to improve safety and conditions.
Justine Greening said, “April’s factory collapse took a dreadful toll on people in Bangladesh and galvanised much-needed action on safety.
The UK government has already demanded improvements from clothing manufacturers and sent experts to advise on building safety.”
Six months on, the UK will now support the ILO to help the Government of Bangladesh, employers and manufacturers make improvements on safety and conditions, Justine Greening said, according to a web release.
“But there is still a long way to go. Everyone needs to continue to work together to maintain momentum and prevent future tragedies.”
New UK support of £4.8 million will go towards the ILO’s ‘Improving the Working Conditions in the Ready Made Garment sector in Bangladesh’ programme to improve fire safety and protect workers.
The ILO programme supports the Bangladesh government’s National Action Plan on Fire Safety and Structural Integrity.
This was signed by the Government of Bangladesh, garment workers’ representatives and garment employers’owners’ representatives and will be monitored by the Tripartite Steering Committee composed of these three parties and additional relevant stakeholders.
DFID supports the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), through a Programme Partnership Arrangement that provides core funding to support the organisation’s strategic direction. ETI is a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs working together to improve the lives of workers around the world; ETI played a key role in getting brands to sign up to the new Accord.