A US delegation has visited Bangladesh. The US Embassy in Dhaka issued a press note about the visit. As stated, addressing the long-standing challenges to the practice of labor rights is critical to Bangladesh's democracy and governance at this time. Which is very important to ensure national economic prosperity.
According to the US Embassy, worker empowerment is essential for sustainable and inclusive economic growth, respect for human rights, democratic stability, and gender equality and inclusion.
The press note also said that labor reforms are among the top priorities of Yunus, chief adviser to the interim government. The United States welcomes this commitment. We further encourage Bangladesh to strengthen the right of workers to form and join independent trade unions and collective bargaining for better working conditions.
The U.S. Embassy says the United States is committed to working with Bangladesh to ensure industrial sector activities ensure stable employment, quality work environments, and living wages that will ensure the prosperity of Bangladeshi workers and their families.
The United States has valued its partnership with Bangladesh for over 50 years. We are grateful for the opportunity to stand with the people of Bangladesh at this historic moment and are proud to gather in Dhaka to reaffirm our collective commitment to independent and democratic trade unions, Bangladeshi workers and their employers.
The US delegation was led by Kelly M., a special representative of the US State Department. Fay Rodriguez and Labor Department Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee. They were accompanied on the trip by USAID representatives, senior leadership from major US brands affiliated with the American Apparel and Footwear Association, and international labor experts UNI Global Union Secretary General Christy Hoffman and Worker Rights Consortium Executive Director Scott Nova.
Among the US brands participating in the tour were Gap Inc., PVH Corporation, and VF Corporation, which buy approximately $1.8 billion worth of goods from Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector (RMG) each year.
