DHAKA, Oct 9, 2021 (BSS) - Speakers at a virtual dialogue today said
Bangladesh's RMG sector needs to strengthen its labour and working
environment in adherence to the United Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs)
with a view to better handle the post-graduation challenges.
Over the past decade, they said the export-oriented RMG sector has made a
significant progress in strengthening workplace safety. In continuation of
this journey, the sector needs to focus on human and labour rights issues
taking into account the post-LDC graduation requirements.
They came up with such remarks at a virtual dialogue organized by the
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) today in partnership with the Christian Aid
in Bangladesh on "Building the RMG Sector in Adherence with the United
Nations Guiding Principles (UNGPs)".
The UNGPs have provided a guideline for the industries on how to improve
the labour rights practices in the workplace. Such a guideline will be highly
beneficial for the RMG enterprises to better structure social compliances in
adherence to international standards.
The government agencies will get better understanding on how to facilitate
factories in strengthening their labour practices, said a press release.
Dr Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director, CPD delivered the introductory
remarks while Pankaj Kumar, Country Director, Christian Aid Bangladesh,
delivered the welcome remarks at the session.
Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, CPD, moderated the
session.
The keynote presentation at the dialogue was made by Dr Khondaker Golam
Moazzem, Research Director of CPD. Dr Moazzem mentioned that this study
analysed the level of maturity on UNGPs of RMG enterprises on eight key
indicators such as policy commitment; governance and embedding;
prioritisation of risks and identification of the salient human rights
issues; stakeholder engagement; assessing human rights risks; integration and
mitigation measures; tracking; and remedy and grievance mechanisms.
The study highlighted interesting facts which showed that the factories
from Dhaka and Gazipur district have better performance in most human rights
aspects than factories from Chattogram and Narayanganj.
Moreover, enterprises under the membership of BGMEA are found in a better
state than those under the membership of BKMEA. This again reflects a need
for removing disparity and exercising equal opportunity for all RMG
enterprises.
Md Mojibul Haque, Chairman, Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of
Labour and Employment shed light on the need for reducing gap between the
owners and the workers.
Md. Ehsan-E-Elahi, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment re-asserted
the need for a coordinated effort-based mechanism. "The garments owners
should be more aware of the labour rights and wellbeing," he said.
He said the government has developed a long-term action plan for the
improvement of labour laws and labour-related practices not only in the RMG
sector, but also in other sectors.
Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, put some vital issues on the table,
including-adhering to the SDGs, developing a unified code of conduct to avoid
the audit fatigue, conducting a comprehensive research in concentration with
all the local and global standards, and bringing a positive change through
apparel diplomacy and thorough research.
Mohammad Hatem, First Vice-President, BKMEA, highlighted two important
issues-first, childcare facilities, and second, corporate social
responsibility (CSR) facilities.
Vidiya Amrit Khan, Director, BGMEA, Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmmed, Specialist on
Worker Activities, ILO, Sharmin Sultana Moushumi, Advocate, Bangladesh High
Court, Haroon Ar Rashid, Director, BGMEA spoke, among others, at the
dialogue.
The session was followed by an open-floor discussion. High-level policy
makers, researchers, RMG workers, development practitioners, academics,
business leaders, civil society activists, international development
partners, and journalists took part at the dialogue.