Urging the global brands to continue with Bangladesh, Norwegian minister for international development Heikki Eidsvoll Holmas on Monday said not only the manufacturers but also the importers and the consumers had the responsibility to improve the working condition in Bangladesh.
He said this at the signing ceremony of an agreement between the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Labour Organisation to ensure better labour condition in Bangladesh at a city hotel.
‘By supporting the ILO’s efforts in Bangladesh we want to make a contribution to improved working conditions and better and fairer wages for Bangladeshi workers,’ said the Norwegian minister.
Higher wages and decent working conditions ensure economic and social development, he said, adding that it is important to improve the working condition rapidly.
ILO country director Srinivas Readdy said that the support of the Norwegian government directly contributes to the implementation of one of the commitments relating to workers’ education and training of mid-level supervisors and managers on occupational safety and fundamental rights at work.
‘This commitment was included in the joint statement issued by the government, employers and workers organisations on May 4 following the recent high level mission led by ILO deputy director general Gilbert Houngbo,’ he said.
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ILO signed the $2.5 million deal for promoting workers’ rights and labour relations in export-oriented industries in Bangladesh.
The support will facilitate continuous dialogue between workers, employers and the government and strengthen the tripartite partners’ capacity to support the ongoing ILO efforts and also assist the future implementation of ILO’s Better Work programme in Bangladesh.
‘We wish to work together with the ILO and the Norwegian government to promote fundamental rights and labour relations in the country’s export-oriented industries like RMG, leather and shrimp sectors,’ said labour secretary Mikail Shipar.
He also said that the Norwegian support will be helpful to implement the tripartite agreement and the action plan that was mentioned in the joint statement.
Bangladesh Employers Federation president Fazlul Hoque and the representative of 13 national trade union centres Sukkur Mahmud also spoke on the occasion.
-With New Age input
