A delegation of global board members and leaders from Nirapon, an organisation dedicated to improving worker safety in Bangladesh’s garment factories, met with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna recently. The meeting aimed to discuss ongoing efforts and future reforms in workplace safety.
The delegation, led by Nirapon Chair Simone Sultana and Independent Director Tapan Chowdhury, included representatives from prominent Western brands and retailers. During the meeting, Chief Adviser Yunus emphasised the Interim Government’s commitment to implementing significant labour reforms to align Bangladesh’s labour laws with International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.
“We’ve already taken some steps, and you will see the changes very soon,” Yunus stated, highlighting the Government’s proactive approach to enhancing labour conditions.
Lutfey Siddiqi, Special Envoy of the Chief Adviser, noted that the Interim Government had facilitated an 18-point agreement between labour unions and manufacturers, which is part of a broader strategy to stabilise the sector and boost garment exports.
In her remarks, Simone Sultana expressed gratitude to the Chief Adviser for initiating reforms in the garment industry. She underscored Nirapon’s collaboration with local partners, BRAC and Amader Kotha, in developing innovative tools that empower factories to manage their own safety effectively.
Representatives from the brands present at the meeting also expressed their satisfaction with the progress being made in improving factory safety across the country.
Other notable attendees included Lamiya Morshed, Senior Secretary and Head of SDG Affairs, and Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
