Netherlands and France Will Jointly Work for Better Conditions in Bangladesh

Netherlands and France will jointly work for improvement of working conditions in Bangladesh.
 
Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Lilianne Ploumen met French Minister for Foreign Trade Nicole Bricq in Luxembourg and both the countries decided to jointly work for improving working conditions in Bangladesh, according to a press release of the Netherlands Government.
 
“The European Union is the largest buyer of apparel from Bangladesh. In 2012, the EU accounted for about 60 percent of total exports from Bangladesh, worth €8.5 billion. Hence, the EU can make a big difference by acting together,” Ms. Ploumen said.
 
Both Ministers also called for involvement of NGOs to improve the working conditions in Bangladesh garment units.
 
“Bangladesh is a poor country and needs financial aid,” Ms. Ploumen said and added that the industry must take responsibility and act at least according to OECD guidelines.
 
Ms. Ploumen will be visiting Bangladesh from June 15, 2013. As co-chair of a group of donor countries, the Minister will be discussing the working conditions with representatives of the Government of Bangladesh, companies as well as civil society organizations, the official release said.
 
“All parties involved – the garment and textile sector, manufactures, consumers, and governments – must take responsibility. We cannot continue to point at each other,” the Minister said.