Bangladesh has to ensure labour rights for continued trade preferences: Canadian envoy to CA

Bangladesh has to ensure labour rights in factories to enjoy trade preferences from Canada, Canadian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Lilly Nicholls said today (28 August).

During a discussion with Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus at the state guest house Jamuna, he assured that his government would maintain labour rights “as per the ILO (International Labour Organisation) standards,” addressing concerns raised by international brands and investors purchasing clothing from Bangladesh.

The chief adviser highlighted the economic challenges inherited by the Interim government, and said, “We need big investment,” adding the Interim government inherited an economy, which was in total mess with a huge amount of debt being accumulated.

“Our first priority is to fix the economy,” he added.

He said the government was working to restore vital institutions broken by the previous regime and was “bringing order and clarity in governance.”

In response, High Commissioner Nicholls expressed Canada’s readiness to support Bangladesh’s Interim government, particularly in boosting food security through the supply of fertilizers and essential commodities.

She also indicated Canada’s interest in supporting the UN fact-finding mission in establishing justice and accountability for the atrocities committed in July and August.

Yunus said the students-led revolution has ushered in a new era of hope for the country.

“These are historical opportunities. These changes may never come back,” he added.

He said important electoral reforms will be carried out before the country goes to vote. Under the previous government, “the election commission was turned into an election manipulation commission,” he said.

The Canadian high commissioner expressed her “deep concern” over the security situation in the Rohingya camps in Bangladesh and the escalating violence affecting Rohingyas living in Myanmar’s Rakhine state.

She said Canada has contributed more than 600 million dollars to Rohingya humanitarian responses and called for livelihood opportunities for the Rohingya people.

The chief adviser called for easing overcrowding in the Rohingya camps by relocating some Rohingya from the Coz’s Bazar camps.

He also said his government would do its best to provide hope to the Rohingya people.