The Senate Foreign Relations Committee of the US on Friday stressed the need to safeguard and advance labour rights for Bangladesh’s garment workers.
“The tragedies in Bangladesh present an important opportunity to improve labour rights and empower workers. No consumer will want to wear clothing if it’s stained by the blood of innocent workers,” Senator Robert Menendez, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee said.
He made the statement while launching a committee report on “Worker Safety and Labour Rights in Bangladesh’s Garment Sector”, marking the first year anniversary of the Tazreen Fashion factory fire in Bangladesh.
“No consumer will want to wear clothing if it’s stained by the blood of innocent workers,” he said.
The report was issued a year after the Tazreen Fashion factory fire killed 112 workers. In April 2013, a collapse at Rana Plaza factory resulted in the death of 1,131. Both tragedies galvanised world attention towards the plight of garment workers in Bangladesh.
“One year ago, the world woke up to the horror caused by the unsafe working conditions of Bangladesh’s garment workers. We should not rest until these individuals are given the rights they deserve and the tools they need to protect themselves,” Menendez added.
