Desk Report: Bangladesh must formulate and implement an appropriate national wage policy on forecasting and comprehending inflation as well as competitive pricing and wages, said the speakers on Tuesday.
Tuomo Poutiainen, country director of International Labour Organization (ILO) for Bangladesh, said country should figure out, discuss, and establish a proper national wage system.
Moreover, he also said that the ILO has been attempting to include additional textile factories in its Better Work initiative by applying the international level of compliance in 457 firms.
He advocated for advancing social discourse and safeguarding workers through the modernization of insurance protection programs.
He mentioned the Bailey Road fire tragedy as a reminder of the significance of fire safety in industry.
He was speaking as a panel discussion at the 5th edition of Sustainable Apparel Forum (SAF), organized by the Bangladesh Apparel Exchange (BAE) in partnership with Better Work, ILO, and IFC in the capital.
He also said that what has achieved in the in the RMG industry should also be happened in the other industries.
“Bangladesh should focus on creating similar opportunities, workplaces and the type of competitiveness so that Bangladesh can be proud,” he added.
Miran Ali, vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said that the apparel industry has overcome structural, electrical, and fire safety issues.
“Bangladesh’s garment sector has safer working conditions than many other countries,” he added saying that the distrust between manufacturers and trade unions must be removed through proper discussion.
Amirul Haque Amin, president of IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) said that the workers’ protection is also needed to be protected when the companies are making profit.
He also said for healthy workers, healthy workplace and healthy industrial relations.
“We are always responsible towards our workplace though sometimes there are problems,” he added.
He also urged for empowering the trade unions based on equality.
Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice-president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said that Bangladesh is the global champion in green garment factories and the sector in in the right path now.
However, not only the international clothing retailers and brands, but also the end consumers should also pay more for the garment items sourced from the country to show responsible business behavior, he said.
He also urged to form a central trade union for sustainable business.
Hazera Khatun, joint secretary to the ministry of labour and employment said for improving the product diversification and technologies for better outputs in the sector.
Md. Khorshid Alam, executive director of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority, Avijit Chowdhury, executive member of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority also spoke at the panel discussion.
