The representatives, which included members from Columbia Sportswear, KMD Brands, VF Corporation, and others, met with officials from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on 21 January. The BGMEA team was led by administrator Anwar Hossain along with support committee members.
During the meeting, the delegation also explored opportunities to deepen collaboration between the US and Bangladesh in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector.
AAFA policy senior vice-president Nate Herman said: "We are united around shared goals for a more competitive, socially responsible, and sustainable industry in Bangladesh."
“The ready-made garment sector in Bangladesh has a unique opportunity to address the long-standing issues that impact worker’s livelihoods such as the wage-setting process and reforms to the labour law,” added Fair Labor Association executive vice-president Shelly Han.
The BGMEA said several key topics were discussed, including workers' rights, workplace safety, labour law reforms, and increasing US market access for Bangladeshi apparel. The meeting also touched on promoting responsible purchasing practices and the industry's strides in sustainability.
Potential collaborations were explored in areas like worker training programmes to further enhance welfare in the garment sector.
The delegation acknowledged Bangladesh's progress in workers' rights and initiatives such as forming a labour reform commission.
This recent dialogue follows a delegation organised by the US Department of State/US Embassy in Bangladesh in November 2024 to address labour concerns in the region.
This aligned with a previous joint communication issued in September 2024, which called for the prompt liberation of detained individuals, the establishment of a clear and consistent process for annual minimum wage evaluations, and the resumption of tripartite discussions aimed at aligning the Bangladesh Labor Act with global labour standards.
A statement in the September 2024 letter signed by AAFA president and CEO Steve Lamar and FLA president and CEO Jeff Vockrodt read: "The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) applaud the interim government’s focus on reforming local labour laws to align with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards. As part of those efforts, AAFA/FLA urge the interim government to focus on improving worker rights for a successful Bangladesh garment, footwear, and travel goods industry now and in the years to come."
Earlier this month, the International Labour Organization country director met with the BGMEA administrator to discuss several issues impacting Bangladesh’s RMG industry, including workplace safety, workers' rights, labour law reforms, and environmental sustainability.
