US reaffirms support for BD labour reforms
Staff Reporter :
The United States has emphasised the importance of addressing the long-standing challenges of enforcing labour rights in Bangladesh to ensure national economic prosperity at this “unique moment.”
For sustainable and inclusive economic growth, the empowerment of workers is crucial, as it is closely linked to respect for human rights, democratic resilience, and gender equity and inclusion. This statement was made following the conclusion of a labour delegation’s visit to Bangladesh.
The visit, led by Kelly M Fay Rodríguez, the US State Department Special Representative, and Thea Lee, Deputy Undersecretary of the Department of Labor, demonstrated support for the country’s economy, democracy, and workforce.
The delegation included Christy Hoffman, General Secretary of the esteemed international labour organisation UNI Global Union, and Scott Nova, Executive Director of the Worker Rights Consortium, alongside senior representatives from major US brands associated with the American Apparel and Footwear Association.
Participating US brands, such as Gap Inc., PVH Corp., and VF Corporation, collectively purchase products worth approximately $1.8 billion annually from Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
The United States acknowledged that the well-being of workers is a shared responsibility involving governments, buyers, employers, regulators, and labour unions. This includes ensuring safe working conditions where workers’ rights and dignity are respected, as well as improving labour rights, particularly regarding freedom of association and collective bargaining in the RMG sector.
The United States welcomed assurances from Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus that labour reforms are a top priority for the interim government. The US expressed its support for Bangladesh in strengthening the rights of workers to form and join independent trade unions and to collectively bargain for better working conditions.
The United States is committed to collaborating with Bangladesh to ensure that industry practices promote stable employment, quality working conditions, and living wages that enable Bangladeshi workers and their families to thrive, as stated by the US Embassy in Dhaka.
The United States also affirmed its valued partnership with Bangladesh, which spans more than 50 years. They expressed gratitude for the opportunity to support the people of Bangladesh at this historic moment and for the chance to gather in Dhaka to reaffirm their shared commitment to independent, democratic trade unions for Bangladeshi workers and the businesses that employ them.
