US Demands for Labour, Fire and Building Inspection in Bangladesh Textile Industry

The US has publicly announced a labour “action plan” for Bangladesh aimed at improving worker conditions in the country, months after the factory collapse in Savar that claimed 1129 lives. The plan released last week is meant to provide a roadmap for the Asian country to gain reinstatement into the US’ trade preference scheme for developing nations, according to Washington officials.

Action plan urges labour law reforms, improved inspections

The action plan, which was announced publicly last Friday, had already been provided to the Bangladeshi government at the time of the GSP suspension, according to the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR).

The plan is divided into three sections, addressing government inspections for labour, fire, and building standards; labour law and other related reforms, particularly for workers in the ready-made garments (RMG)/knitwear sector; and strengthening those laws that affect export processing zones (EPZ), which have traditionally not fallen under the scope of national labour legislation.

For instance, Dhaka is being urged to develop and implement a plan to increase the number of government labour, fire, and building inspectors, along with establishing clear inspection procedures and improve training for inspectors. The Bangladeshi government should also increase fines and other sanctions for failure to comply with labour, fire, or building standards, the US says.

There is also a brief note about improving labour conditions in Bangladesh’s shrimp processing sector, also with regards to freedom of association.

The US government plan does not make a specific reference to the non-binding agreement signed by many North American retailers earlier this month, which had come under fire for being less stringent than a separate, binding scheme inked primarily by European retailers. However, the US does note that retailer involvement is important for ensuring that factories from where these companies source their products are in line with fire and safety standards.

“We urge the retailers and brands to take steps needed to help advance changes in the Bangladeshi garment sector and to work together and with other stakeholders to ensure that their efforts are coordinated and sustained,” the USTR statement said.

US signs onto EU-Bangladesh deal

Washington has also confirmed that it is associating itself with the sustainability compact inked by the EU and Bangladeshi governments earlier this month. The compact, which also involves the participation of the International Labour Organization (ILO), outlines a series of time-bound commitments that Bangladesh has agreed to take to improve conditions in the country, with help from both partners.

At the time, EU officials had noted that, while the US was informed of the discussions, no decision had been made as to Washington’s participation.

The US has now said that it plans to work “as a full partner” in helping implement the goals of the compact, along with pursuing additional goals under its own action plan.