Bangladesh, which is often associated with hazardous working conditions and disasters in garment factories, will reach a milestone next month when it introduces the world’s highest rated green knitwear factory.Located in Narayanganj, 20 kilometres south from the capital, Plummy Fashions has already started trial operation with 500 workers.It will go into full production in mid-May, by which time it will receive the US Green Building Council’s ‘LEED Platinum’ certification.Once awarded, Plummy Fashions would be the first knitwear factory in the world to have the platinum certification, according to its Managing Director Fazlul Hoque.He said his environmentally-sound knit apparel manufacturing unit would receive the certification as it has met all requirements. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is a rating system that reviews a factory’s green initiatives such as site development, energy and water conservation, materials selection and indoor environmental conditions. To get a LEED Platinum certification, one company must score 80 out of the available 110 points.Hoque said his factory would score 93. “No garment factory has received this high a score in the world,” he told The Daily Star.The two-storied manufacturing unit is situated on a campus of 5.5 acres of land, 50 percent of which are open areas with lush greenery. Its six reservoirs will store around six lakh litres of rainwater and use it for washroom flushing.The installed water fixtures will economise water consumption by up to 60 percent. The system will allow only 1.5 litres of water for use per minute, instead of 6 to 8 litres under the traditional system.The factory is highly energy-efficient. It has designed the windows and louvres in such a way that it can use the maximum daylight, a move that will help save 70kw power on a sunny day. The 65kw solar panels set up on the rooftop of the factory will provide 13 percent of the plant’s total power requirement of 500kw.Work on the first floor will be carried out in sunlight, saving 70kw of electricity. LED bulbs are programmed to be switched on automatically under light deficiency or gloomy sky. It also has an effluent treatment plant.The building, which has been made with pre-fabricated steel, has 10 emergency exit points and is equipped with a high-quality fire-fighting system and more than 250 smoke- and heat-detecting devices.Other than the rainwater harvesting system, the campus also has bicycle sheds, housing for workers, schools, markets, bus or tempo stands and latest technology-based electricity-efficient auto-cleaning knit machines.The factory has child care, health care, recreation and training facilities as well.It also has a showering facility for its perspiring workers — a provision unthinkable in the country’s garment factories.By next month, 1,500 workers will work in a neat and clean environment within 28 degree Celsius temperature under complete air conditioning. “Plummy Fashions may be considered a model for knit garment factories at home and abroad,” said Bangladesh Bank Governor Atiur Rahman during a visit to the factory yesterday.The factory with a capacity to produce nearly one million pieces of garment a month cost Tk 80 crore, with financing from IFIC Bank, which is partly backed by the central bank under its green banking initiative. The sum, however, does not include the cost for the land, which already belonged to Hoque.“I am very proud of the project. But I will be happy if others come forward and set up factories that are green and take all safety issues into consideration,” said Hoque, also a former president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association.“This way, we will be able to overcome the image crisis the disasters of Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions Fire have slapped on us.”Hoque, who is currently in talks with Marks & Spencer, C&A, Esprit and Li & Fung about orders, is also aware of the challenges lying ahead.“To make this type of initiative a success, buyers have to come forward by providing better prices. If they raise the prices even by a small amount, it would be a huge boost in ensuring factory safety in the country.”“And it is in the best interests of the buyers. Instead of coming under pressure after disasters like Rana Plaza, they should be proactive and support initiatives like this,” said Hoque, also a former president of Bangladesh Employers Federation.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/plummy-fashions-beacon-among-green-factories-79284

Rana Plaza Trust Fund received $3 million in contribution yesterday from retailers and different organisations, taking the total fund to $27 million.The fund came as the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy was observed, Mojtaba Kazazi, executive commissioner of the Rana Plaza Claims Administration (RPCA), said at a media briefing in Dhaka.“We are now only $3 million short of the $30 million trust fund target. I hope we will receive the remaining fund soon,” Kazazi said.He however, could not immediately disclose names of the retailers and brands which paid to the fund yesterday.The building collapse claimed at least 1,135 lives, and injured twice the number, many of them for life.The officials of RPCA, the temporary office for determining and disbursement of the victims’ compensations, said they have settled nearly 2,839 out of 2,871 claims from the $27 million that includes $2.4 million donations from the Prime Minister’s Office. The claims administration office has disbursed $9.85 million to the victims so far.The remaining 32 claims plus approximately 20-30 additional deceased claims that may still be filed will be included in the final instalment.After the Rana Plaza collapse, Primark paid $7 million in compensation to about 600 workers of its supplier New Wave Bottom separately, a garment factory that was housed on the fifth floor of the building.Although the $7 million contribution by the Primark was calculated in the $27 million trust fund, the nearly 600 workers were not as the British retailer paid them separately.Since the workers of New Wave Bottoms received separate funds, they are not entitled to claims from the main fund.“We have disbursed money through more than 5,000 banks accounts as one victim has more than two or three claimants,” Kazazi said.The amount of compensation has been fixed considering the gravity of the injuries of the victims, said Sultana Kamal, another commissioner of the RPCA.“We mainly focused on the victims’ children and their needs while determining appropriate compensations,” said former chief justice ABM Khairul Haque, who is also the national commissioner of the RPCA.

Source: https://www.thedailystar.net/business/rana-plaza-trust-gets-3m-more-79283

The second anniversary of the deadly Rana Plaza collapse in Savar passed off on Friday amid demonstrations by the victims’ families for compensation. People reminisced about the tragic incident when local and international organisations expressed concern over the meager of workplace rights in Bangladesh. On April 24, 2013, the Rana Plaza building which housed five garment factories caved in, killing over 1,100 workers and maiming several thousand others. The accident took place due to allegedly fault in the construction of the building and poor construction materials. Although the government, BGMEA, other organisations and stakeholders at home and abroad promised to compensate the victims, such assurances were not fully fulfilled. The family members of the victims formed a human chain and chanted slogans in front of the collapsed complex site in Savar on the outskirts of the capital on Friday, demanding their compensation. The Transparency International Bangladesh recently alleged that the government fund of Tk 108 crore remained unused. Meanwhile, the European Union raised concern over inadequate RMG workplace safety in Bangladesh. The European Union also cautioned of revisiting its duty-free quota for Bangladesh if poor workplace safety for workers continues in the country. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström told a programme on Wednesday said, “Another tragedy or even just the continuation of today’s poor working condition could force the EU to revisit everything But Arms (EBA).” Addressing a conference titled “Remembering Rana Plaza: What Next” at the European Parliament in Brussels, she issued the above caution. “We’re here today to remember the Rana Plaza building. Remembrance has a double purpose. We do it to show our respect for victims, survivors and their families,” she added. On the other hand, Human Rights Watch alleged that Rana Plaza victims were not compensated adequately. An HRW report published on April 22 said survivors of the workplace disaster have reportedly not received adequate compensation two years into the incident although many retailers paid into the Rana Plaza compensation fund. It referred to the promise and contribution of various organisations to the compensation fund, saying only $21 million of $30 million needed to compensate the survivors had been paid or pledged to the fund, with the British company Primark giving $14 million as of March. The HRW further said 15 of the retailers whose labels were found in the Rana Plaza rubble are yet to contribute to the compensation fund.

Source: https://www.daily-sun.com/print/front-page/2015/04/25/499858#sthash.wFhccpF6.dpuf

Miscreants have raped a garment factory worker after holding her husband and a relative hostage at Narayanganj’s Bandar Upazila, reorts bdnews24.com. Police arrested two persons for their alleged link to the incident that occurred on Thursday night. The arrestees are ‘Jewel’, 22, and ‘Ramzan’, 23, from Rupali Residential Area. Bandar Police Station OC Nazrul Islam said the victim from Narayanganj city’s Khanpur area went to visit her aunt at Bandar Upazila’s Ekrampur area with her husband and a relative. He said seven-eight miscreants, including Jewel and Ramzan, waylaid the three using sharp weapons in Kheyaghat area when they were returning around 9pm. They took them to a nearby under-construction building. They tied the victim’s husband and the relative who helplessly watched the victim being raped, OC Islam said. Locals came to the spot hearing cry of the victim and rescued them. The OC said another relative of the victim filed a case on Thursday night. Police later arrested Jewel and Ramzan with the help of locals, he added.

Source: https://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=2409397&date=2015-04-25

Exactly two years ago on this day, over 1,100 people lost their lives and more than 2500 were injured when Raza Plaza, a nine-storey garments factory building, collapsed at Savar, reports BSS. Different workers’ organisations observed the day on Friday amid various programmes. Relatives of those, who lost their lives in the building collapse, placed wreaths in front of Rana Plaza. The workers’ organisations demanded capital punishment to those who were responsible for the collapse. A photo exhibition is also organised in memory of the late workers. UNB adds: The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) in a joint statement on Friday said they will continue to work together with Bangladesh for ensuring the economic growth and sustainable development of Bangladesh and go hand-in-hand with efforts to improve workers’ safety and rights as well. “Our commitment to Bangladesh is strong and enduring,” said the joint statement, issued on the 2nd anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh. US Secretary of State John Kerry; High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini; US Secretary of Labor Thomas E Perez; EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen; US Trade Representative Michael Froman; EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström; US Agency for International Development Acting Administrator Alfonso E Lenhardt; and EU Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica signed the statement. They urge the government to formulate the rules under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2013 without further delays. “Similarly, we call upon the government of Bangladesh to enact legislation on economic processing zones that ensures workers inside the zones enjoy rights commensurate with those outside the zones,” said the statement. Also of pressing concern, the government should respond swiftly to cases of unfair labour practices, violence, and harassment against trade unions and workers’ representatives, it said. “We note that advances in health, safety, and labour rights will remain fragile and impermanent if workers are unable to exercise those rights and organize to represent their interests and concerns,” it said. Appreciating the progress made so far, the statement, however, said significant work remains to be done under the Sustainability Compact to realize its goals. “In particular, we encourage and support the government of Bangladesh’ s efforts to continue reforming its labor laws, in close consultations with the ILO, complete the safety inspections of all RMG factories and continue to register unions in a timely and transparent way,” it said. On the aftermath of the Rana Plaza collapse, the European Union, the United States and the International Labor Organization (ILO) came up with assistance to Bangladesh to undertake a series of significant commitments to foster respect for fundamental labour rights and ensure workers’ safety and health in the garment sector. The partners announced the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh – a statement of principles and commitments designed to bring about a lasting transformation in the sector. The tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building claimed over 1,140 lives and injured many more.

Source: https://www.newstoday.com.bd/index.php?option=details&news_id=2409406&date=2015-04-25

The High Court is scheduled for Sunday to hear a committee report that proposed Tk 14.51 lakh and Tk 1.5 lakh as the highest and lowest compensation for victims of Rana Plaza collapse. The bench of Justice Mirza Hussain Haider and Justice Abdur Rob on April 20 posted for Sunday its order on the report after the Supreme Court registrar’s office placed the report before the bench. The committee headed by General Officer Commanding of the Nine Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army stationed in Savar, formed in accordance with an order suo moto issued by the bench on April 30, 2013, submitted the report to the registrar’s office on January 23, 2014, making 16-point recommends on compensations. The committee recommended Tk 14.51 lakh as compensation for each of the workers died or went missing or became permanently disabled in the collapse of the nine-storey building, which housed five apparel factories, on April 24, 2013. It recommended that Tk 7.50 lakh should be paid for each of the workers who lost one limb, Tk 4.50 lakh for each of the workers in need of long-term treatment and Tk 1.50 for each of the workers who became mentally imbalanced. The committee set the compensation for the killed or missing workers considering individual worker’s monthly wage of Tk 5,000 as ‘typical case’ [minimum standard case]. The amount of compensations for a deceased or missing worker was set considering Tk 25,000 for burial cost, Tk 60,000 as grant for once, Tk 1.80 lakh as welfare allowance (Tk 1,000 per month) up to 67 years of age or for 15 years, Tk 5 lakh for joint insurance fund and Tk 6 lakh for pension. The report said that 1,142 people died in the building collapse. Army could identify 261 of the 329 missing workers on the list prepared by district administration, said the report. It said that 189 workers were taking permanent treatments. The committee said that the money the victims received as donations from different individuals or institutions should not be adjusted to the proposed compensations, but the money they received from the Prime Minister’s Office or from the public authorities should be adjusted as compensations. In response to a call from prime minister Sheikh Hasina, government and non-government organisations, banks, insurance companies, schools, colleges and a good number of individuals, donated Tk 127.67 crore to her relief fund between April 29, 2013 and July 8, 2014, agriculture minister Matia Chowdhury told parliament on July 14, 2014. The report said that the compensation should be given at once, injured workers should get free treatment until recovery, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturuers and Exporters Association would make job arrangements for all workers who lost their jobs and capable to work. Donation, compensation and termination benefit have to be considered separately and all workers will be entitled to get termination benefit from respective employers, the report said. The committee said that the compensations should be collected from the Rana Plaza owner, the owners of factories, BGMEA, and foreign buyers. It set the amount of compensation that was opposed by BGMEA, which had asked the committee to lower the amount of compensation referring the labour law and the amount they had paid as compensation in cases of other accidents, including the fire at Tazreen Fashions in November 2012.

Source: https://newagebd.net/114519/hc-likely-to-hear-report-on-compensations-sunday/#sthash.T9xlbVwL.dpuf

Demonstrations staged in Bangladesh and elsewhere in world commemorating the second anniversary of Rana Plaza building collapse on Friday demanded the government and foreign retailers to compensate and rehabilitate the affected workers immediately. Labour leaders and affected workers and their families also urged the retailers to pay up the compensation they had promised for the Rana Plaza Donor Trust Fund. The victims and affected families expressed disappointment at the delayed investigation into the cases filed following the worst industrial disaster in the country’s history. They also called on the government to declare April 24 as a mourning day. According to Clean Clothes Campaign, the tragic day was remembered across the world, especially in Finland, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, Austria, Turkey, Australia, Spain, Italy, Pakistan and the United States. On April 24, 2013, the nine-storey Rana Plaza at Savar bus stop housing five apparel factories collapsed, leaving 1,137 people killed and several hundred injured and missing. Different local and international social, cultural and political organisations held rallies, formed human chains and brought out processions in front the site of the collapsed building at Savar and different places in Dhaka. Many demonstrators were seen parading with black flag. Addressing a rally at Savar, Gonoshasthaya Kendra found and trustee Zafrullah Chowdhury expressed disappointment at the delay investigations and trial of the cases. Garments Sramik Oikya Forum president Moshrefa Mishu urged the government for quick disposal of the cases against the building owners and factory owners. Krishak Samity leader Kazi Firoz, addressing another rally, raised question about the Tk 127 crore unused fund of the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund for Rana Plaza victims. He demanded transparent disbursement of the fund. Tearful and angry survivors of Rana Plaza disaster and families of the deceased and missing workers gathered around the site. Local administration, police officials and the labour leaders placed floral wreaths at the memorial installed following the collapse and another makeshift platform installed for the day. Parents of 20-year-old Phantom Tac’s ironman Fazle Rabbi were seen praying for their deceased son while many families of missing workers, including Runa Akhter’s mother Hosna Begum, were seen wailing in front of some human remains, they found at the site on Friday, and repeatedly calling for finding out their near and dear ones. Many victims were seen approaching to journalists or rights activists with many complaints including not getting dude compensation and proper treatment. Injured female worker Sabina Akhter alleged that the Rana Plaza Claims Administration in a later stated that she received a total Tk 94,486, but she received Tk 66,000. Another worker Fatema Akhter alleged that she was able to work as she was still suffering from pains in the head and waist. Many victim families visited Jurain Graveyard in the capital to offer prayer for their beloved ones. Puffed rice seller Liakat Ali Sheikh came from Gopalganj was looking for grave-56 where his daughter Rafiza, one of the victims, was buried unidentified. As no plaque reading grave-56 was found, he sat on the walkway by the side of the grave-156 and began wailing. Liakat left the graveyard offering a prayer for all the departed souls as he could not identify his daughter’s grave. Bangladesh Garment Shramik Sanghati arranged a photography and cartoon exhibition near the Rana Plaza site while Bangladesh Progressive Garments Workers Federation held a rally and put forth a set of demands including publishing a complete list of deceased, injured and missing workers. Workers were seen chanting ‘Mango [a western brand], Pay Up,’ ‘Wall-mart, Pay Up,’ ‘Benetton, Pay Up,’ and ‘Government, Pay Up’ in front of the site of the collapsed building. Some international labour rights activists were also seen there. ‘We are here to hear the Rana Plaza victims and investigate why they have not yet received the compensation they need,’ said International Labour Rights Forum executive director Judy Gearhart. ‘Many brands do not acknowledge their accountabilities…There are so much works to do,’ the campaigner told New Age while attending a protest rally at Savar. About the investigation and trial processes, she said, ‘It is tremendous injustice…there should be a charge of manslaughter.’ ‘For two years now…Victims mustn’t wait any longer to be adequately compensated,’ Karim Lahijdi, the president of the International Federation for Human Rights said in a statement. The Asian Legal Resource Centre and Odhikar recalled the incident with deep sorrow while National Garment Workers Federation, among others, held a human chain in front of National Press Club demanding immediate paying up of due compensation.

Source: https://newagebd.net/114517/rana-plaza-collapse-2nd-anniversary-commemorated-with-pains/#sthash.r1QkJhrl.dpuf

Relatives of the Rana Plaza victims and members of various social and workers’ bodies gather at the collapsed building site in Savar yesterday on the second anniversary of the tragedy that left at least 1,129 people dead. Related picture on page 2. Independent PhotoMorium Akter, wife of missing victim Raja Miah in Rana Plaza collapse incident, the world largest industrial disaster, were crying inconsolably beside the debris on the second anniversary of the tragedy. And, her two-and-a-half-year-old daughter Rani Akter was completely silent seeing her beloved mother crying. When The Independent correspondent tried to talk to her about her missing husband, she became even more emotional to recall her husband Raja. Raja, hailing from Zadutokhani village under Gaibandha district, was working at a readymade garment factory located on the fourth floor of Rana Plaza. Morium also worked with him, but she gave up her job before the birth of her baby. Recalling her last conversation with her husband around 7:30am on April 24 in 2013, she said, “On hearing the news of cracks surfacing in Rana Plaza the day before it collapsed, I requested my husband not to go to for work before the cracks are repaired.” Raja had also decided not to go but suddenly he received a phone call and he left for work. “I have to going because if I become absent from work, the salary of the month would be deducted,” Morium recalled her husband as saying. “After the birth of our daughter, he had become very economical due to the increasing cost incurring on the upbringing of our child…he even gave up smoking. He always told me that from now, we shall save money for Rani, so that we do not face difficulty at the time of her marriage, he would say.” The two dreamt for good education of their daughter, so that she does have to work as a garment worker in future. “But all our dreams perished under the Rana Plaza,” she said with a sob. Describing her tireless search for the body of Raja Miah, she said, “His family members gave the DNA samples several times, but they are yet to identify the body.” ‘‘Though there is no chance of getting his body, I came to the devastated Rana Plaza only to get a feel of being around my deceased husband,” she could barely utter. About her present life, she said, “Currently I am running a small tailoring shop at my house. I cannot join any job due to my little baby.” Similar is the tale of many other kin of the collapse victim. Rabia Begum, daughter of Abdur Rahman, hailing from Islampur Upazila in Jamalpur district, has also been missing. Her mother, Tomiron Begum, also came to the collapse site. Halima Akter, mother of missing victim Shilpi Akter, hailing from Doulotpur Upazila in Manikganj, came along with Arman Hossain and Lukcy Akter, two orphan children of the deceased RMG worker. Nuron Nahar and her husband Amir Ali came remembering their beloved missing daughter Farza Akter. Bithi Khatun, daughter of Abdul Bari, hailing from Vangamour village under Sadullahpur Upazila in Gaibandha district is also missing to date. Bari claimed that he neither got her body nor get any financial assistance from the government and voluntary organisations. “But I am not unhappy for that…I just want to identify the body of my beloved daughter Bithi, for whom my family has been waiting for two years.” Her mother Anjuara Begum also got bed-ridden to hear the tragic death of their young daughter, he said. Sajeda Begum, mother of Khaleda Akter, another victim, was seen madly crying holding in her hand a photo of hers. ‘‘Give me my daughter, I don’t need your help…I just want to wash and bury my daughter with my hands,” said Sajeda Begum, hailing from Gangarampur village of Muksudpur Upazila Gopalganj district, who is looking for her daughter for two years. Khaleda was working in Phantom Apparels on the third floor. “I gave DNA samples several times for the test, but my daughter remains untraced,” she lamented. As a result, she has not yet received any assistance as the kin of a Rana Plaza victim. Like her, Meheran Begum, mother of missing victim Babu Mia, came from Nagarpur Upazila in Tangail. “Whenever I hear the news of finding any skeletons, I cry thinking it is the remains of my beloved son,” she said while crying. All of them sobbed inconsolably, unable to speak. They alleged that as they are relatives of the missing victims, they are yet to get proper compensation. Meanwhile, after placing floral wreaths to pay homage to the victims, various labour organisations including Garment Workers Trade Union Centre, Garment Workers Federation, Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Federation, and Garment Sromik Oikyo Forum reiterated their demand for immediate and adequate compensation to the Rana Plaza victims. Left-leaning political organisations, including Naya Gonotantrik Gonomorcha, Jatiyo Mukti Council, Jatiyo Gonotantrik Gonomancha and Jatiyo Gonofront, also placed wreaths there. They also demanded punishment to the persons responsible for the deadliest building collapse. They brought different placards and banners mentioning the demands to mark April 24 as “RMG Genocide Day”. They also held protest rallies and human chains demanding death penalty to all those responsible, including the building owner and ruling party leader Sohel Rana. Local worker leaders told this correspondent that people are still finding skulls and bones in the debris. While visiting the collapsed sites, The Independent found that land grabbers have raised their ugly heads again and are trying to grab the land, as the tin fence put up by the Dhaka District administration was not seen there. Even the signboard ordered by the court stands removed. As police set up camps to oversee the site was withdrawn, the area became a safe zone for the criminals, especially the drug users and sex workers. The tragedy occurred on April 24, 2013, leaving a total of 1,135 persons dead and another 1,524 injured. Of them, 844 were critically injured, while 291 bodies could not be identified, claims labour bodies. UNB adds: The European Union (EU) and the United States (US) in a joint statement yesterday said they will continue to work together with Bangladesh for ensuring the economic growth and sustainable development of Bangladesh and go hand-in-hand with efforts to improve workers’ safety and rights as well. “Our commitment to Bangladesh is strong and enduring,” said the joint statement, issued on the 2nd anniversary of the Rana Plaza disaster in Bangladesh. US Secretary of State John Kerry; High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini; US Secretary of Labor Thomas E Perez; EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen; US Trade Representative Michael Froman; EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström; US Agency for International Development Acting Administrator Alfonso E Lenhardt; and EU Commissioner in charge of International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica signed the statement. They urge the government to formulate the rules under the Bangladesh Labour Act 2013 without further delays. “Similarly, we call upon the government of Bangladesh to enact legislation on economic processing zones that ensures workers inside the zones enjoy rights commensurate with those outside the zones,” said the statement. Also of pressing concern, the government should respond swiftly to cases of unfair labour practices, violence, and harassment against trade unions and workers’ representatives, it said. “We note that advances in health, safety, and labour rights will remain fragile and impermanent if workers are unable to exercise those rights and organize to represent their interests and concerns,” it said. Appreciating the progress made so far, the statement, however, said significant work remains to be done under the Sustainability Compact to realize its goals. “In particular, we encourage and support the government of Bangladesh’ s efforts to continue reforming its labor laws, in close consultations with the ILO, complete the safety inspections of all RMG factories and continue to register unions in a timely and transparent way,” it said. On the aftermath of the Rana Plaza collapse, the European Union, the United States and the International Labor Organization (ILO) came up with assistance to Bangladesh to undertake a series of significant commitments to foster respect for fundamental labour rights and ensure workers’ safety and health in the garment sector. The partners announced the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh – a statement of principles and commitments designed to bring about a lasting transformation in the sector. The tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building claimed over 1,140 lives and injured many more.

Source: https://www.theindependentbd.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=255964:all-left-with-kin-of-rana-plaza-victims-is-tears&catid=129:frontpage&Itemid=121

The country’s industrial activities in the first half of the current fiscal year (2014-15) witnessed a moderate trend. The moderate trend is reflected in the latest data available with state-owned Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS). Last week, BBS released data of industrial output of July-December period of 2014 at the fag end of FY’15. It shows that the Quantum Index of Industrial Production (QIIP) of medium and large scale manufacturing industries stood at 243.36 points at the end of December last year which was 240.13 points at the end of June. But December index is lower than July when the index was 257.05 points, the highest in the first six months of current fiscal year. Official statistics also showed that industrial activities went through a fluctuation in the following months.  The six month average index, however, stood at 234.20 points registering a 13 per cent growth over the same period of FY’14. The first half of FY’14 was a period of turmoil as political violence hit country. On the other hand, first half of current fiscal year went through a calm situation. Industrial output index of major industry group also revealed upward trend in most of the sectors. BBS data showed that among the major industry group, output of wearing apparels, food products, non-metallic mineral products, leather and related products, chemicals and chemical products, basic metals and fabricated metal products except machinery has registered positive growth over the first six months of previous fiscal year. On the other hand output of textile, pharmaceuticals and tobacco products have declined significantly. Besides manufacturing, output of mining has also increased moderately during the first half of the current fiscal year. Electricity output, however, declined slightly. According to BBS, mining output stood at 174.54 points at the end of December last which was 155.27 at the end of June 2014. On the other hand, electricity output index stood 152.81 points in December last which was 203.83 in June 2014. Asian Development Bank (ADB), in its latest quarterly update on Bangladesh economy, said that industrial growth dropped to 8.4 per cent in FY’14 from 9.6 per cent a year earlier, due to supply disruption and weaker consumer confidence resulting from political unrest. “At 8.5 per cent, industry sector growth in FY2015 will be lower than expected at the beginning of FY2015, as exports, small-scale manufacturing, and construction activities have been affected by the political unrest,” it added. ADB, however, pointed out that better performance of large- and medium-scale industries prior to the onset of the unrest is expected to hold up industry sector growth.

Source: https://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/04/25/90160

The European Commission (EC), the US government and the US agencies concerned have called for immediate framing of necessary rules for implementation of Bangladesh Labour Act in line with the international standards. In a joint statement, they also suggested enactment of legislation on export processing zones (EPZs) to ensure that workers inside the zones enjoy rights commensurate with those outside the special areas. “We urge the government to issue – without further delay – the implementing rules for Bangladesh Labour Act, consistent with the international labour standards,” said the joint statement, issued on the EC official website on April 24. High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/ Vice-President of EC Federica Mogherini, US Secretary of State John Kerry, EU Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström, US Trade Representative Michael BG Froman, EU Commissioner In-charge of International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica, US Agency for International Development Acting Administrator Alfonso E Lenhardt, EU Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs, Skills and Labour Mobility Marianne Thyssen, and US Secretary of Labour Thomas E Perez issued the statement, marking the 2nd anniversary of the Rana Plaza tragedy. The statement also suggested that the government of Bangladesh should respond swiftly to cases of unfair labour practice, violence and harassment against trade unions and workers’ representatives. “Today we mark the passage of two years since the tragic collapse of the Rana Plaza building that claimed over 1,100 lives and injured many more. We join the people of Bangladesh in mourning those who lost their lives, and remain mindful of the difficult struggle for those who survived.” Taking note of the progress that has been made so far, the statement said significant work still remains to be done under the Sustainability Compact for Bangladesh to realise its goals. In the aftermath of the Rana Plaza collapse, the EU, the US and the International Labour Organization (ILO) joined with Bangladesh to undertake a series of significant commitments to foster respect for fundamental labour rights and ensure worker safety and health in the garment sector, it mentioned. The partners announced the sustainability compact, a statement of principles and commitments designed to bring about a lasting transformation in the sector, the statement also said. “Our commitment to Bangladesh is strong and enduring. The EU and the US, in close cooperation with the ILO, will remain closely engaged with the Government of Bangladesh in the spirit of partnership to continue our work together to ensure that economic growth and sustainable development go hand-in-hand with workers’ safety and rights,” it added. UNB adds: The European Union (EU) has alerted Bangladesh that it could revisit Everything But Arms (EBA), if another tragedy like Rana Plaza takes place or even just the poor conditions for workers continue. “Another tragedy, or even just a continuation of today’s poor conditions for workers, could also force the European Union to revisit Everything But Arms,” said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström. She was addressing a conference titled ‘Remembering Rana Plaza: What Next’ at the European Parliament in Brussels to mark the second anniversary of the Rana Plaza clothing factory disaster. Jean Lambert, member of the EP and chairperson of the delegation for relations with South Asia was also present. Bangladesh’s export earnings currently stand at above $30 billion, half of which comes from the EU. EU’s ‘Everything But Arms’ arrangement was born in 2001 to give all LDCs full duty- free and quota-free access to the EU for all their exports with the exception of arms and armaments. The EU Trade Commissioner lauded the progress made by trade unions, businesses and the government of Bangladesh within the framework of the 2013 Sustainability Compact. But she also noted that much more needed to be done to improve the conditions for Bangladesh’s workers. Cecilia Malmström said the country’s economic future and the conditions of its workers were inextricably linked. “So fully implementing the compact makes good economic sense just as much as it makes good moral sense.” “We’re here today to remember Rana Plaza. Remembrance has a double purpose. We do it to show our respect for victims, the survivors and their families. And we do it to show we’ve learned from the past. The best way we can do that is by changing our behaviour. And I hope that is exactly what we will do,” said Malmström. She said all need to see actions on the rights of workers in export processing zones and these zones are positive initiatives to boost growth and development in Bangladesh. “But, to put it simply, they cannot be at the expense of fundamental labour rights.” The government needs to adopt legislation that ensures rights to workers in the zones are effectively the same as those provided for in the national labour law, said the EU Trade Commissioner.

Source: https://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/04/25/90180