US delegation with focus on workers' rights visits BGMEA
They also discussed increasing trade access for Bangladeshi apparel in the US market, promoting responsible purchasing practices, and the industry’s impressive progress in sustainability initiatives
A high-level delegation from the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) visited the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Tuesday (21 January).
The visit aimed at discussing workers' rights issues and exploring ways to enhance the partnership between the US and Bangladesh in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, reads a BGMEA press statement.
The BGMEA delegation, led by Administrator Anwar Hossain, engaged in discussions with the AAFA and FLA representatives.
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Members of the BGMEA Support Committee — Miran Ali, Asif Ashraf, Rezwan Selim, ANM Saifuddin, Shehabudduza Chowdhury and Shams Mahmud accompanied the administrator.
The meeting highlighted opportunities of cooperation in fostering a more sustainable and ethical RMG industry in Bangladesh while strengthening trade relations with the United States.
They discussed elaborately the issues of workers' rights, workplace safety, labour law and reforms in Bangladesh.
Several key areas, including increasing trade access for Bangladeshi apparel in the US market, promoting responsible purchasing practices, and the industry's impressive progress in sustainability initiatives got due importance in the meeting.
The delegation also explored potential collaborations in workers' training programmes and initiatives to further enhance workers' welfare in the RMG sector.
During the meeting, the BGMEA urged AAFA, which represents over 1,000 globally renowned brands, retailers, and manufacturers, and FLA to promote responsible purchasing practices that benefit both buyers and suppliers.
BGMEA also requested AAFA's support in advocating for Bangladesh's trade interests in the US market, ensuring continued growth and mutual benefit.
The delegation appreciated Bangladesh's progress in workers' rights and the government's initiative of forming the labour reform commission and labour law reforms.
The delegation included Nate Herman, Senior Vice President - Policy, American Apparel & Footwear Association; Shelly Han, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Fair Labor Association; Ismail Murad, Manager - Corporate Social Responsibility | Bangladesh & Jordan, Columbia Sportswear Company; Kate Miller, Social Impact Manager, KMD Brands Limited; Tayob Muhammed, Head of Finance/HR, Bangladesh, Perry Ellis International; Stella Mondol, Social Compliance Officer, Bangladesh, Perry Ellis International; Viola Wan, Director of Social Sustainability, Puma; Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Manager of Social Sustainability, Bangladesh, Puma; Moyeen Chowdhury, Branch Manager - Apparel & Accessories, Bangladesh, Puma; Bushra Baten, Manager - Corporate Responsibility, Bangladesh & Pakistan, PVH; Jessica Nursoo, Regional Director - South Asia and Indonesia, VF Corporation; Tiffany Rogers, Director - Innovation and Development, Manufacturing, Fair Labor Association; Chaimae Azmi, Fair Compensation and Member Engagement Manager, Fair Labor Association; and Hannah Larson, Social Compliance Associate, Fair Labor Association.
