US Labour Department and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) will launch an awareness and training programme for readymade garment workers on their responsibility and rights in practicing trade union.
Officials told a meeting at the BGMEA building in Dhaka yesterday. The US labour and state departments’ officials and BGMEA and BKMEA leaders were present at the meeting. The US Labour Department will fund the awareness programme, said BGMEA vice president Shahidullah Azim quoting Jeff Wheeler, International Relations Officer of US Labour Department.
“The delegates told us that the US government has already provided $1.4m for the better work programme aimed at training up RMG workers,” he added.
In reply to a question, Shahidullah Azim told the Dhaka Tribune: “We will welcome trade unionism, if it comes in a constructive way.” BGMEA president Atiqul Islam said: “Allowing trade unions in the RMG sector is not a matter of BGMEA, it’s a matter of owners.”
