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

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

The US delegation's visit to Bangladesh to demonstrate support for the country's economy, democracy, and workers concluded today (26 November).

Worker empowerment is essential to sustainable and inclusive economic growth, respect for human rights, democratic resilience, and gender equity and inclusion, said the delegation according to a press statement of the US Embassy in Bangladesh. 

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 labor 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 approximately $1.8 billion dollars annually from Bangladesh's ready-made garment (RMG) sector, reads a press 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 labor rights, particularly on freedom of association and collective bargaining in the RMG sector.

"The United States welcomes Chief Advisor Yunus's assurances that labor 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.