The Australia government has been contributing a lot to help Bangladesh improve its readymade garment (RMG) industry, especially the working environment in apparel sector. Under a joint initiative titled ‘Better Work Bangladesh(BWB), the country (Australia) contributes for improving advance women’s economic potential and boost the competitiveness of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, said a joint statement of the organiser. BWB is a joint programme of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC). The Australian Government has been supporting BWB since 2016. The programme reaches 485,708 workers in 210 factories who work with 22 international brands. During her visit to Bangladesh, Australia’s Ambassador for Women and Girls, Dr Sharman Stone, said “Our commitment to fund this programme until June 2020 demonstrates Australia’s support for industrial safety, labour law governance and women’s economic empowerment in Bangladesh”. Support from the Australian Government and other donor partners, enables BWB to empower women, reduce sexual harassment and to close the gender pay gap, said the statement. Australia’s ongoing support for the Better Work Bangladesh programme drives important changes to workplace safety in the garment industry. Australian High Commissioner Julia Niblett said Alignment of the Bangladesh, unions and employer organisations with the ILO supported remediation coordination cell, the accord on fire and building safety and the alliance-backed Nirapon initiative, will strengthen RMG.
