Bangladesh's BGMEA & WRAP meet to discuss mutual cooperation

The organisations also had discussions on how more cooperative and coordinated efforts can be made to better facilitate WRAP certification for garment factories in Bangladesh and enhance the reputation of Bangladesh as a safe and compliant source of apparel sourcing in the world, BGMEA said in a statement.

During the meeting, BGMEA president Faruque Hassan highlighted the progress of Bangladesh’s garment industry in the areas of workplace safety, social and environmental sustainability. He said the RMG industry of Bangladesh has earned global recognition for its unprecedented strides over the years in safety, sustainability and social compliance.

A recent survey report by Hong Kong-based supply chain compliance solutions provider, QIMA, ranked Bangladesh’s garment industry second in ‘Ethical Manufacturing’. The report covered a wide range of compliance and ethical manufacturing issues including hygiene, health and safety, waste management, worker representation, disciplinary practices and discrimination, working hours, wages etc.

Apart from ensuring workplace safety, Bangladesh has the highest number of green garment factories in the world with 145 factories certified as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), by US Green Building Council (USGBC). Among them 42 are LEED platinum-rated and 91 are LEED gold-rated units. Over 500 factories are in the pipeline for certification.

BGMEA president Hassan sought cooperation and support of WRAP president Avedis Seferian to portray the positive picture of Bangladesh apparel industry internationally.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)