Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali has urged the western buyers to pay a little bit more for Bangladeshi products so that the owners can take additional measures to enhance safety and welfare of the workers in the country’s ready-made garment sector (RMG). He made the call when visiting parliamentary delegation of the Federal Republic of Germany on Tuesday met him at the Foreign Ministry on Tuesday afternoon. In response to queries made by the delegation members, the Foreign Minister has mentioned that the government of Bangladesh has increased the wages of the workers employed in the ready-made garments industry almost by 250 percent in the past few years. The delegation, comprising five members of the Committee on Labour and Social Affairs of the German Bundestag, is in Bangladesh as part of their tour of Asia (Indonesia and Bangladesh), according to the Foreign Ministry in Dhaka. Meanwhile, the delegation visited several factories in Dhaka and surrounding areas and exchanged views with relevant stakeholders. During the meeting, the Foreign Minister apprised them on how Bangladesh is marching ahead despite having political challenges and other difficulties. Mahmood Ali also briefed them about the necessary measures taken by both the government and factory owners for the safety and security of the workers in the ready-made garments industry, including other initiatives taken and implemented throughout this industry. Besides, different aspects of bilateral relations between Bangladesh and Germany, including environmental issues and government’s actions over countering terrorism and violent extremism came up at the meeting for discussion.
