The European Commission (EC), the US government and the US agencies concerned have called for immediate framing of necessary rules for implementation of Bangladesh Labour Act in line with the international standards. In a joint statement, they also suggested enactment of legislation on export processing zones (EPZs) to ensure that workers inside the zones enjoy rights commensurate with those outside the special areas. “We urge the government to issue – without further delay – the implementing rules for Bangladesh Labour Act, consistent with the international labour standards,” said the joint statement, issued on the EC official website on April 24. High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of EC Federica Mogherini, US Secretary of State John Kerry, EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström, US Trade Representative Michael BG Froman, EU Commissioner In-charge of International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica, US Agency for International Development Acting Administrator Alfonso E Lenhardt, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen, and US Secretary of Labour Thomas E Perez issued the statement, marking the 2nd anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy. The statement also suggested that the government of Bangladesh should respond swiftly to cases of unfair labour practice, violence and harassment against trade unions and workers’ representatives. “Today we mark the passage of two years since the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building that claimed over 1,100 lives and injured many more. We join the people of Bangladesh in mourning those who lost their lives, and remain mindful of the difficult struggle for those who survived.” Taking note of the progress that has been made so far, the statement said significant work still remains to be done under the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh to realise its goals. In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza collapse, the EU, the US and the International Labour Organization (ILO) joined with Bangladesh to undertake a series of significant commitments to foster respect for fundamental labour rights and ensure worker safety and health in the garment sector, it mentioned. The partners announced the sustainability compact, a statement of principles and commitments designed to bring about a lasting transformation in the sector, the statement also said. “Our commitment to Bangladesh is strong and enduring. The EU and the US, in close cooperation with the ILO, will remain closely engaged with the Government of Bangladesh in the spirit of partnership to continue our work together to ensure that economic growth and sustainable development go hand-in-hand with workers’ safety and rights,” it added. UNB adds: The European Union (EU) has alerted Bangladesh that it could revisit Everything But Arms (EBA), if another tragedy like Rana Plaza takes place or even just the poor conditions for workers continue. “Another tragedy, or even just a continuation of today’s poor conditions for workers, could also force the European Union to revisit Everything But Arms,” said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. She was addressing a conference titled ‘Remembering Rana Plaza: What Next’ at the European Parliament in Brussels to mark the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza clothing factory disaster. Jean Lambert, member of the EP and chairperson of the delegation for relations with South Asia was also present. Bangladesh’s export earnings currently stand at above $30 billion, half of which comes from the EU. EU’s ‘Everything But Arms’ arrangement was born in 2001 to give all LDCs full duty- free and quota-free access to the EU for all their exports with the exception of arms and armaments. The EU Trade Commissioner lauded the progress made by trade unions, businesses and the government of Bangladesh within the framework of the 2013 Sustainability Compact. But she also noted that much more needed to be done to improve the conditions for Bangladesh’s workers. Cecilia Malmström said the country’s economic future and the conditions of its workers were inextricably linked. “So fully implementing the compact makes good economic sense just as much as it makes good moral sense.” “We’re here today to remember Rana Plaza. Remembrance has a double purpose. We do it to show our respect for victims, the survivors and their families. And we do it to show we’ve learned from the past. The best way we can do that is by changing our behaviour. And I hope that is exactly what we will do,” said Malmström. She said all need to see actions on the rights of workers in export processing zones and these zones are positive initiatives to boost growth and development in Bangladesh. “But, to put it simply, they cannot be at the expense of fundamental labour rights.” The government needs to adopt legislation that ensures rights to workers in the zones are effectively the same as those provided for in the national labour law, said the EU Trade Commissioner.
Source: https://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/04/25/90180
