US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat on Thursday laid emphasis on building trust between managements and workers of the readymade garment (RMG) factories to avert any damage to the industry done by the “troublemakers”. She said troublemakers can do the damage if there is no “trusted way” to have communication between the workers and the managements. “Our goal as Bangladesh’s friend is to help those two groups find ways and trust one another and to have mechanisms to work together. Social dialogue is the real key,” said Ambassador Bernicat. The US Ambassador was talking to press after her meeting with the workers leaders at the Workers Community Centre, Awaz Foundation, in Ashulia. Going deep into how troublemakers get chance, Bernicat said they can make trouble when people let them. She said it would be harder for troublemakers if strong partnership between the workers and managements exists. The US Ambassador said strengthening workers’ right and giving them an opportunity to associate freely will help get back special trade benefit GSP (Generalized System of Preferences) in the US market though RMG products remain out of the GSP coverage. “I’m optimistic but it is labour rights (issue) that has been making progress not as quickly as the safety issues. Now it’s time…can we do that together…absolutely,” she said. Garment workers’ leader Nazma Akter and BGMEA senior officials were present.
