European Union once again warns Bangladesh on not to exploit RMG workers for sustaining GSP. The European parliament adopted the resolution tabled by its Committee on International Trade (INTA) on "The State-of-Play of the implementation of the Sustainability Compact in Bangladesh", an EU-driven initiative to strengthen labour rights and safety at work in the readymade garment sector of Bangladesh.

INTA Chair Bernd Lange says that despite some progress in recent years, the situation on the ground remains worrisome. They are concerned about the lack of meaningful progress in implementing the commitments of the Sustainability Compact by Bangladesh. Countries, which disrespect fundamental rights at work, should not be encouraged by benefitting from unrestricted access to our market, he said, adding that the government of Bangladesh will need to demonstrate that it is willing and able to deliver on its own promises and the demands of the international community.

In the resolution, INTA members expressed concerns over the lack of progress in a number of areas of the Sustainability Compact.The European Commission in a recent letter to the Bangladesh government shared these concerns highlighting the need to do more to align Bangladeshi laws and practice with the recommendations of the ILO.

The resolution suggested that the government of Bangladesh should swiftly amend the 2013 Labour Act so as to ensure freedom of association, collective bargaining and to recruit more factory inspectors.

The mandate of the Accord, a platform including EU companies that help implement the Compact, should be renewed after its expiry of May 2018 and international brands ought to take their CSR policy more seriously to ensure decent working conditions.