US ambassador will place a report (on workers’ safety and rights) to the US congressmen. She will seek to reduce tariff on import of Bangladeshi RMG products State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque said the US ambassador to Bangladesh would inform the US congressmen about the improvements in workers’ safety and rights status in Bangladesh garment industry and ask for cutting tariff on the RMG import. “US ambassador will place a report (on workers’ safety and rights) to the US congressmen. She will seek to reduce tariff on import of Bangladeshi RMG products,” he told journalists at his office yesterday after the US envoy Marcia Bernicat paid a courtesy call to him. Mujibul said the US diplomat sought to know about the present situations of trade unionism, labour rights and factory inspections in the garment industry. “She has been updated about the status and current priorities.” “I also inform her about what initiatives have been taken to improve working environment in the clothing industry and ensure workers’ safety and rights after the tragic Rana Plaza incident,” the state minister added. Currently the US importers of Bangladeshi RMG products have to pay about 16% duty, which is much higher compared to other competitor countries. Mujibul said the GSP issue was also discussed in the meeting and the envoy observed that most of the conditions imposed by the US government to restore the trade facility have been met by Bangladesh except the workers’ rights. “We have told the envoy that all the conditions outlined by the US government have been addressed,” the state minister said. After the meeting, Marcia Bernicat also talked to the journalists. In reply to a question about migrants crisis, the US ambassador said: “We are working with the Bangladesh government and other countries related with the ongoing migrant issue. The US was also working on providing humanitarian assistance.” Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shipar was also present as the envoy called on the state minister.
