The Alliance for Bangladesh Worker Safety has expressed its concern over the recent comments made by Finance Minister AMA Muhith regarding the activities of the North American RMG retailers’ group.
It also urged the government to clarify its position on both the work being performed and significant financial contributions being made toward improving factory in RMG industry.
Alliance and its member companies are concerned to see comments attributed to Bangladesh Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith criticising efforts to improve safety in the readymade garment sector in Bangladesh, said the Alliance in a statement posted on its official website on Friday.
“I am truly shocked that a member of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s cabinet would criticise efforts aimed at enhancing safety in the ready-made garment sector, which employs more than 4m women and men and is one of the largest contributors to Bangladesh’s growing economy,” said Ellen Tauscher, independent chair of the Alliance.
Tauscher said, “The Alliance urged Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her government to clarify their position on the great work being done and significant financial contributions being made toward improving factory safety, and make clear their intentions to continue this work for the benefit of factory workers, the garment industry and the country as a whole.”
Comments like those attributed to the finance minister and other officials in Bangladesh raise serious and significant concerns about the commitment of the government to this unprecedented and private sector-led and funded safety initiative, Tauscher said.
“I am hopeful that the government of Bangladesh will clarify its position and demonstrate unequivocal support for the Alliance and other initiatives working to improve the safety of its people and the sustainability of its economy,’’ said Tauscher.
On June 15, Muhith has termed the recent activities of the Accord and Alliance as ‘nooses’ in the growth of the country’s RMG sector.
Terming the directives of the Accord and Alliance ‘unfortunate’ the minister alleged that this kind of activities are hindering the activities of the garment factories. Following the deadliest factory collapse in 2013, the Alliance committed to invest $50m over a five year period to upgrade member factories to meet international fire and safety standards and ensure garment workers are not risking their lives to earn a living.
The Alliance already has inspected 100% factories from which its members source and is working to implement corrective action plans (CAP) and assist factory owners with remediation efforts.
