“The Bangladesh industry needs to wake up to the real world, recognise what is and what is not attainable and concentrate on building its competitivity not on concessions but on improved productivity, quality, delivery and social reputation – the four pillars for success in today's global market."
“The National Forum on Social Compliance recently established needs urgently to get to work. It must include trade union and NGO representatives chosen by the unions and NGOs themselves and not by employers."
The Forum needs to begin to act like a national economic and social development committee for the industry. It should produce a blueprint for the future of the industry, perhaps drawing on the experience of Cambodia, which is now promoting itself as a country where buyers can source without fear of damaging the reputation or image of their brand or label.
“Efforts are also needed to reduce labour turnover though improved labour conditions and to improve productivity through better training of managers and workers and through the establishment of mature systems of industrial relations."
“The message is simple, stop chasing rainbows and concentrate on cleaning up the readymade garment industry, introducing effective industrial relations systems involving dialogue between management and representative trade unions thus building global competitivity rather than relying on concessions in key markets” concluded Mr Kearney.
The International Textile, Garment and Leather Workers' Federation
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