By NNN-BSS
Dhaka : Ambassador of Bangladesh to the United States M Humayun Kabir has said Bangladesh fully recognizes that improving the lives of its workforce and safeguarding their labour rights are mutually reinforcing objectives in building a modern nation.
He said this during the hearing on GSP facilities for Bangladesh at the US Trade Representative (USTR) office in Washington DC on Thursday, according to a message received here Friday.
“We are committed to present Bangladesh to the world community as a government and a society that fully respect the rights of workers, and also rely on the workers to fully support and respect the democratic institutions and rule of law that we are committed to maintain and reinforce, the Ambassador said.
He said Bangladesh has been accomplished to improve labour protections and sought assistance from the international community to help build further capacity in this regard.
Ambassador Humayun Kabir also asserted that what Bangladesh government does with regard to improving the labour standard, not because of what others are telling it to do rather it thinks that it is the right thing to do.
In the hearing, Executive Chairman of BEPZA Brigadier General Ashraf AbdulLah Yusuf also highlighted the initiatives undertaken to protect and promote the labour rights in the EPZs.
Chairman of Bangladesh Shrimp and Fish Foundation Syed Mahmudul Huq and Adviser, BGMEA in Washington DC Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury also appeared at the testimony to defend the labour rights in the fisheries and RMG sectors. Executive Director of GSP Programme at the USTR Ms. Marideth Joy Sandler chaired the hearing.
Jeffrey Vogt, Global Economic Specialist of AFL-CIO, recognised that some progress has been made in the EPZs, RMG and shrimp industries in Bangladesh in recent years, however, he asserted that the progress was still unsatisfactory and more aggressive reforms are needed to protect the labour rights in Bangladesh.
In response to specific queries about their objective in launching the petition, he suggested that they want Bangladesh government to accord more priorities to ensure that labour rights, as recognised in the international community are respected in Bangladesh.
The hearing is the beginning of a yearlong review process that will examine oral and written submissions and testimonies by all parties as well as determine the actual progress on the ground with a view to coming to a conclusion on the petition by the AFL-CIO, the message added.