United States Ambassador to Bangladesh Peter Haas today said Bangladesh needs a national wage policy to address the garment workers financial challenges while strong labour laws and their implementation are vital to bilateral ties between Washington and Dhaka. 
 
“Strong labour laws and their implementation are vital to our bilateral relationship, sustainable and inclusive development and to support a stable and predictable operating environment for US companies working in Bangladesh,” he said. 

The US envoy further said the recent minimum wage review for the readymade garment sector has demonstrated the clear need for “an objective, inclusive and evidence-based National Wage Policy that addresses the severe economic challenges faced by garment workers”.

Hass made the remarks while speaking at an event titled ‘Bangladesh Cotton Day 2023” held in the capital. 

The US ambassador said Washington looks forward to deepening its work with the private sector and other stakeholders to advance internationally recognized worker rights in the RMG sector and beyond.

“As we look at the readymade garment sector, one of our mission's priorities here in Bangladesh is a sustainable and broadly shared prosperity realized through improved labour standards,” he said. 
 
Haas said labour rights are critical to the continued growth and sustainability of the readymade garment sector in Bangladesh.

BDST: 1635 HRS, DEC 07, 2023
MN/SMS