North American apparel brands and retailers’ group have decided to stay with readymade garment (RMG) sector in Bangladesh despite the terrorist attack on July 1 that saw the killing of 20 people including 17 foreigners. In a conference call for journalists, James Moriarty, country director for the Alliance for Bangladesh Workers Safety, the platform of North American buyers and brands said that many major brands were desisting sending foreign staff to the country although most had Bangladeshi or South Asian staff leading their operations in the country.

On behalf of the Alliance, Moriarty, a former US ambassador to Bangladesh, expressed his sympathy for the people affected by the recent violent attacks in Dhaka mainly the victims, the loved ones of those who lost their lives or were wounded, and the members of the community who were rocked by this attack. Moriarty further said that in spite of this tragedy, the Alliance and our member companies will continue to stay with the RMG because improving safety for the millions of men and women who make a living in Bangladesh’s garment sector is a moral imperative.