The United States on Tuesday said that resolving longstanding challenges to the exercise of labour rights would be critical to ensuring national economic prosperity at this ‘unique moment’ for democracy and governance in Bangladesh.
Worker empowerment is essential to sustainable and inclusive economic growth, respect for human rights, democratic resilience, and gender equity and inclusion, the US said, marking the conclusion of its labour delegation’s visit to Bangladesh.
The US delegation’s visit to Bangladesh demonstrated support for the country’s economy, democracy, and workers.
The delegation was led by US State Department special representative Kelly M Fay Rodriguez 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 products worth approximately $1.8 billion annually from Bangladesh’s readymade garment sector.
The United States recognised that the wellbeing of workers 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 welcomed chief adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus’ assurances that labour reforms are a top priority of the interim government.
The US said that it supported Bangladesh further strengthening the rights of workers to form and join independent trade unions, and to collectively bargain for better working conditions. The United States 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, according to the US embassy in Dhaka.
The United States said that they valued their partnership with Bangladesh, spanning more than 50 years.
The US remains ‘grateful’ for the opportunity to support the people of Bangladesh at this historic moment, and for the chance to get together in Dhaka to affirm their shared commitment to independent, democratic trade unions for Bangladeshi workers and the businesses that employ them, said the embassy.