Dhaka: Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus announced today that the interim government of Bangladesh is committed to implementing comprehensive labour reforms aimed at attracting more foreign buyers to the country. The announcement came during a meeting with a United States labour and brand delegation at his office in Tejgaon.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Professor Yunus emphasized the government’s dedication to aligning the country’s labour laws with global standards. He revealed that a special envoy has been appointed to focus on reforming the labour laws and addressing concerns raised by local and international labour rights groups, the International Labor Organisation, and Western nations.
The delegation, led by Thea Mei Lee, the deputy undersecretary of the US Department of Labour, and Kelly Fay Rodriguez, Special Representative for International Labour Affairs of the US, expressed their support for the reforms. They highlighted the backing of the US, global labour rights groups, and ma
jor international brands that source clothing and footwear from Bangladesh for Yunus’s initiatives to create worker-friendly conditions in the country’s factories.
Kelly Fay Rodriguez commended the interim government’s achievements in the labour sector over the past three and a half months, noting the 18-point agreement signed between the government and local unions. The US officials advocated for union rights in factories and annual wage reviews to mitigate the impact of inflation on garment and footwear workers.
Thea May Lee remarked on the benefits of ensuring decent minimum wages in garment factories, stating that it is beneficial for both business and the economy. She also described worker unions as essential “training grounds for democracy.”
Senior representatives from prominent US brands, including PVH, Calvin Klein, and Gap Inc, attended the meeting. Michael Bride, Senior Vice President of PVH Corp., expressed support for the labour reforms, citing similar initiatives in Cambodia.
In response, Pro
fessor Yunus urged the brands to announce price hikes on their orders every January, enabling manufacturers in Bangladesh to adjust worker wages accordingly. US Charge d’affaires Meghan Bouldeb, also present at the meeting, affirmed the US’s full support for Yunus’s sweeping labour reforms, stating, “We want to be partners with you.”