Representatives of the governments of Bangladesh, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom as well as the International Labour Organi-zation (ILO) signed a Memorandum of Intent (MoI) yesterday to continue efforts to improve conditions in the Bangladesh ready-made garment industry. The partners currently collaborate in the ‘Improving Working Conditions in the Bangladesh Ready Made Garment Sector programme’ which is implemented by the ILO and funded by Canada, the Netherlands and United Kingdom. With the initiative set to end in June 2017, the Memorandum signals the interest of the partners to continue with a second phase. Signing the agreement were Mikail Shipar, Secretary, Ministry of Labour and Employment, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh; Guy Ryder, Director-General of the ILO; Leoni Margaretha Cuelenaere, Ambassador, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, and Jane Edmondson, Head of DFID Bangladesh. Christopher Duguid, First Secretary (Development) High Commission of Canada in Bangladesh witnessed the signing. Since it was launched in October 2013 the Improving Working Conditions in the Bangladesh Ready Made Garment Sector programme has supported government efforts to inspect over 1,500 RMG factories for structural, fire and electrical safety. The capacity of the Depart-ment of Inspections for Factories and Establishments has been greatly enhanced while steps have also been made to boost safety and health in the industry. Rana Plaza survivors have been supported while the Better Work programme has been launched in Bangladesh which currently works to enhance compliance and productivity in over 100 RMG factories. Areas under consideration for a second phase of the project include support for the establishment of a Remediation Coordination Cell to oversee remediation of RMG factories. Work to strengthen regulatory capacity as well as build the occupational safety and health capabilities of employers’ and workers’ organizations is also likely to continue.
