US team flies in today to talk labour, other issues

A high-level US delegation is arriving in Dhaka today to discuss economic resilience, stability, growth, as well as meaningful and quality jobs in Bangladesh.

The delegation will be led by State Department Special Representative for International Labor Affairs Kelly M Fay Rodríguez and Department of Labour Deputy Undersecretary Thea Lee.

During the three-day visit, the delegates will meet with government officials, garment producers, and labour union stakeholders, said a State Department statement.

"The delegation will engage representatives from American companies invested in the ready-made garment sector and global labour experts to discuss how to best support Bangladesh's economy, democracy, and workers," reads the statement.

"The visit underscores the United States' commitment to improving and advancing economic development, internationally recognised labour standards, as well as sustainable growth and broadly shared prosperity."

After the interim government took office, the US committed full support for reforms.

The US is the single largest importer of Bangladesh's products, mostly readymade garments. Its annual import volume from Bangladesh is over $10 billion. The US suspended the GSP facility after the Rana Plaza collapse in 2013.

Earlier, the US administration said it was not providing funds to Bangladesh under the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), but the funds could be provided if the labour standards improves in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has been seeking to have both the funding under DFC and the reinstatement of GSP.