Bangladesh FM urges OECD to stay engaged with RMG sector

29 Jun '13

2 min read

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dipu Moni has requested the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to stay engaged with the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector, as it is the main source of foreign exchange for the country.

Delivering the inaugural address at the first OECD Global Forum on Responsible Business at the OECD headquarters in Paris, Ms. Moni said the global retailers and multi-national brands need to engage with Bangladesh readymade clothing, confirming to the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (MNEs).

The Minister listed the measures taken by the Bangladesh Government and the industry for improving the overall working conditions after the Savar factory collapse that killed over 1,100 people, Daily Sun reported.

She explained the institutional and legal changes that are being made by the Government, including the proposed amendments to the Labour Law.

She also raised the issues of fair pricing of apparel and sought OECD support for long-term capacity building in the country’s garment sector.

The Bangladesh Government has already placed a bill in the Parliament to amend the Bangladesh Labour Law 2006 and it is now being scrutinized by a Parliamentary standing committee.

Speaking a day earlier in the Parliament, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said an 11-member Cabinet Committee on Garment Industry headed by the Minister of Labor and Employment has been formed for maintaining a stable situation and reviewing the situation regularly and providing guidelines.

She added that two taskforces relating to 'expansion of garment industry and simplification' and 'garment industry building and fire- safety' have been constituted by the Government.

In addition, the Government has formed the Wage Board for revising the minimum wages for the garment workers.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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