Washington is in regular contact with Dhaka to help Bangladesh improve factory conditions, according to US state department spokesperson Jen Psaki.
“So it’s something we are in regular contact with, we are discussing and thinking about in the building, and we’ll continue to focus on,” Psaki told a regular press briefing at the state department on Friday.
She made the remark when asked about Thursday’s senate hearing on labour conditions in Bangladesh.
Psaki said the US actively engages with the highest levels of the Bangladesh government, exporters and buyers on the issues.
“Just a few weeks ago, Under Secretary (Wendy) Sherman had extensive discussions in Bangladesh on these issues. Ambassador Mozena regularly engages with the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association and has also pressed them on these issues,” she said.
The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations called the hearing on labour issues in Bangladesh.
Senator Robert Menendez, who presided over the hearing, said the US administration should seriously consider suspending GSP facility for Bangladesh.
Meanwhile, assistant trade representative for labour, Lewis Karesh, said they had communicated concerns that the country’s GSP trade benefits were at stake to senior Bangladeshi officials.
Washington has proposed TICFA, which would provide a regular mechanism for dialogue and cooperation, Karesh added. “We would like to complete the agreement with Bangladesh soon, and are awaiting a response to our proposal.”
