The Government of Bangladesh is committed towards ensuring compliance in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, said the country’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. She said that the country will ensure compliance with regards to workplace safety, labour rights and environmental standards in this industry that immensely contributes towards the country’s economy.
PM Hasina made the announcement while answering questions during the ‘Shaping a New Water Economy’ workshop at the 47th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, according to a Bangladeshi news agency.
She said that the RMG industry of the country has already achieved higher compliance in areas like workplace safety, norms, wages, harmonious industrial relations and practices. A 77 per cent increase in basic wage has been recorded.
The Prime Minister also said that all the 3,780 factories of the country have been assessed and they are now working in tandem with global retailers and brands to meet international standards. An Occupational Safety Committee has also been set up in every factory.
She added that there are 38 LEED certified factories in Bangladesh and 7 of the world’s top 10 green factories also belong to the country.
Bangladesh has also been working with 2030 Water Resources Group (WRG) since 2015 to increase water use efficiency and ensure 100 per cent wastewater treatment. The government work focuses on areas like arranging finance for water treatment infrastructure, enhancing incentives for water treatments, recycling and efficient use, enhancing the institutional setup for management of water, setting up a methodology and increasing private sector and civil participation in governance of water.
Bangladesh is the second largest apparel exporting country. Its textile industry employs 4.5 million people accounts for 83 per cent of the country’s total exports, added the PM.
