DHAKA: Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the EU has admitted that more needs to be done to improve safety standards and working conditions in RMG factories in Bangladesh.

Giving evidence to the International Trade Committee on September 17 of 2013, Ismat Jahan said, “Urgent corrective measures needed to be introduced following a series of devastating fires and building collapses.”

The collapse of a Bangladeshi garment factory in April killed more than 1,100 people and led to global condemnation of the country’s labour conditions.

Ms Jahan denied there was “laxity” on behalf of her government, and said that families affected by the disaster had received compensation, “even if it is perhaps not the figure we would aspire to”.

The country’s clothing export industry is the second biggest in the world, after China.

Several big names, including Sweden’s H&M - the biggest buyer of Bangladeshi-made clothes - have signed up to a new legally-binding code of conduct that will increase inspections of Bangladeshi factories.

Other signatories include Zara, Benetton, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Esprit and Abercrombie & Fitch.

However British Labour MEP David Martin questioned whether simply increasing the number of inspections would be sufficient.

He urged the Bangladeshi government to improve the independence of the inspectors, alleging that many had “unhealthy relationships” with factory owners.

Mr Martin claimed that corruption among inspectors was widespread and that “many inspectors do not report what they see”, claims denied by the ambassador.

Source: BBC
BDST: 1849 HRS, SEP 18, 2013
SR/AKA/RK