Ensuring labour rights critical to Bangladesh’s economic prosperity: US delegation

Resolving longstanding challenges to the exercise of labour rights will be critical to ensuring national economic prosperity at this unique moment for democracy and governance in Bangladesh, said a US labour delegation today.

The delegation's visit to Bangladesh, aimed at demonstrating support for the country's economy, democracy, and workers, concluded on the day.

According to a press statement from the US Embassy in Dhaka, the delegation emphasised that empowering workers is fundamental to achieving sustainable and inclusive economic growth, upholding human rights, strengthening democratic resilience, and promoting gender equity and inclusion.

The delegation was led by State Department Special Representative Kelly M Fay Rodríguez and Department of Labour Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee. Representatives from USAID, senior leadership from major American brands associated with the American Apparel and Footwear Association, and esteemed international labour experts UNI Global Union's General Secretary Christy Hoffman and Worker Rights Consortium Executive Director Scott Nova joined the delegation.

Participating American brands – Gap Inc, PVH Corp, and VF Corporation – collectively purchase around $1.8 billion annually from Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector, reads the release.

The United States recognises that the well-being of workers in the global economy is a shared responsibility for governments, buyers, employers, regulators, as well as labour unions. This includes ensuring good, safe working conditions where workers' rights and dignity are respected and improving labour rights, particularly on freedom of association and collective bargaining in the RMG sector.

"The United States welcomes Chief Advisor Yunus's assurances that labour reforms are a top priority of the Interim Government. We support Bangladesh further strengthening the right of workers to form and join independent trade unions and to collectively bargain for better working conditions," reads the statement.

The US is committed to working with Bangladesh to ensure that industry practices support stable employment, quality working conditions, and living wages that allow Bangladeshi workers and their families to thrive.

"We value our partnership with Bangladesh, spanning more than 50 years. We are grateful for the opportunity to support the people of Bangladesh at this historic moment and for the chance to join here together in Dhaka to affirm our shared commitment to independent, democratic trade unions for Bangladeshi workers and the businesses that employ them," the statement concludes.