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BSS-25
TOFAIL-BRUSSELS
Tofail off to Brussels to join Sustainability Compact review on RMG
DHAKA, June 24, 2018 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed today left
here for Belgium to join 4th review meeting of ‘Sustainability Compact’ for
the Bangladesh garment sector and ‘Responsible Pursuing Practices’ workshop
to be held in Brussels on June 25 and 26.
Bangladesh signed the ILO-brokered Sustainability Compact with the EU, the
country’s largest export destination, committing responsible business
behaviour in Geneva on July 8, 2013 in the aftermath of the Rana Plaza
collapse.
It brings together the European Union (EU), Bangladesh, the US, Canada and
the International Labour Organization (ILO) with the common goal of improving
working conditions and the respect of labour rights in Bangladesh’s ready-
made garment (RMG) industry.
Tofail leads an 18-member delegation in the review which is expected to
focus on labour rights, building safety, occupational and health safety and
quality trade, said a media release of the commerce ministry.
Members of the delegation include state minister for labour and employment
Md Mujibul Haque Chunnu, commerce secretary Shubhashish Basu, labour and
employment ministry secretary Afroza Khan, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers
of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Mohammad Shafiul Islam, Bangladesh
Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Md Siddiqur
Rahman, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones executive director Major General
Md Habibur Rahman Khan and representatives from Bangladesh Knitwear
Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Employers
Federation.
It is expected that Bangladesh would be in a praiseworthy position in the
review meeting as it has already made significant progress in maintaining
labour rights, workplace and occupational safety.
The 1st review meeting was held in Brussels on October 20, 2014. The 2nd
and 3rd meetings were held in Dhaka on January 28, 2016 and May 18, 2017
respectively.
The commerce minister is expected to return home on June 27.
BSS/PR/TAN/ARS/1736 hrs