Bangladesh and the United States have expressed their mutual commitment to collaborating for a more sustainable and worker-friendly future within Bangladesh’s Readymade Garment (RMG) industry even if a high-level delegation representing the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the US Department of Labor met with Faruque Hassan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) to discuss a wide range of issues encompassing bilateral trade prospects, environmental sustainability, workplace safety, the rights and well-being of workers, etc.
The US delegation included prominent members such as Brendan Lynch, Acting Assistant US Trade Representative (AUSTR) for South and Central Asia; Mahnaz Khan, Director for South Asia, Office of US Trade Representative; Christopher Kazlauskas, Deputy Director, Office of Trade & Labor Affairs, US Department of Labor; Seamas Whitesel, Director for South Asia Regional Affairs, National Security Council; and Leena Khan, Labor Attaché, US Embassy, US Department of Labor.
BGMEA was strongly represented by its President, Faruque Hassan, along with Vice President Shahidullah Azim, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, and several Directors, including Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Faisal Samad, Abdullah Hil Rakib, Haroon Ar Rashid, ANM Saifuddin, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO Affairs, Shams Mahmmud, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Foreign Mission Cell, and Shovon Islam, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Press, Publication, and Publicity.
In the meeting, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan provided a comprehensive overview of Bangladesh’s RMG industry even as he emphasised the industry’s significant advancements in critical areas, such as workplace safety, sustainable practices, workers’ rights, and labour law reforms.
Additionally, he also highlighted the government’s proactive initiatives aimed at strengthening workers’ rights, particularly through the amendment of labour laws, in accordance with BGMEA’s vision for the sector.
