Better Work is collaboration between the United Nation's International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group. It is a comprehensive programme bringing together all levels of the garment industry to improve working conditions and respect of labour rights for workers, and boost the competitiveness of apparel businesses.

"We are here to unite diverse stakeholders, promote decent work for all and help the garment industry in Bangladesh thrive. We would like to see the sector attain the government’s own goals: for Bangladesh to become a middle-income country with a $50 billion export sector and good compliance conditions by 2021," said Louis Vanegas, programme manager of Better Work Bangladesh.

"I firmly believe that Better Work can make a valuable contribution to the working conditions and competitiveness of individual factories. It can also help take the industry to the next level, which is the theme of this second stakeholders’ forum," said Srinivas Reddy, director of the ILO country office for Bangladesh.

Representatives from global brands and retailers also held talks with Better Work, stressing their commitment to enhancing compliance in their supplier factories across the country to meet international labour standards.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk – India