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State Secretary Asmussen visits Bangladesh and India

Bangladesh is a key supplier to the German clothing industry. Many manufacturers have their products made in the South-East Asian country. In recent years, the working conditions in the textile industry in Bangladesh have repeatedly made headlines. Factory collapses and fires in which thousands of people have died have led to debates on the origin of clothing sold in Germany and have raised awareness among consumers.

The German government is therefore advocating minimum standards for working conditions in the global supply chain and has made this an issue of the German G7 Presidency in 2015.

In preparation for this, State Secretary Jörg Asmussen and a delegation from the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs visited Bangladesh in order to gain an impression not only of local working conditions but also of the political and social framework conditions in place in the country. During political talks held with Commerce Minister Tofail, Finance Minister Muhith and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Mr Shipar, he made it clear that the German Federal Government is keen to see safe and decent jobs in Bangladesh and that it will work to ensure a further improvement in standards, especially in the areas of building safety and fire protection. He also pointed out that there is an increased awareness in Germany and Europe of the manufacturing conditions in Bangladesh. Ultimately, this means that secure and fairly paid employment is also in the interests of manufacturers in Bangladesh, he added. Furthermore, State Secretary Asmussen expressed the German government’s concern in light of reports concerning restrictions placed on trade union activity and reminded his Bangladeshi colleagues that a functioning and fair social partnership is an essential element of Germany’s economic success.

Following the discussions, the delegation visited a rehabilitation clinic treating the victims of the collapsed Rana Plaza textiles factory, before visiting the site of the collapse to see the situation there for themselves. The delegation’s itinerary also included a visit to a textiles factory where it was taken through all stages of the production process. In the factory, the provisions governing the protection of workers were clearly being observed, even though the cramped conditions and the production processes were uncommon by European standards.

R. Deischl

State Secretary Jörg Asmussen on the ruins of the collapsed Rana Plaza textile factory in Dhaka.

"With our visit, we were able to make clear that working conditions in the textile industry remain an important issue for the Federal Government. The impression we gained during our talks was that the government and manufacturer’s associations in Bangladesh are aware of the problem and are working in a constructive manner, together with buyers and governments of consumer countries, to improve the situation further", said State Secretary Jörg Asmussen in summarising his impressions.

On the way to Bangladesh, the delegation stopped off in New Delhi (India) for talks with Gauri Kumar, Secretary at the Ministry of Labour and Employment, regarding the German-Indian Agreement on Social Insurance which has yet to be ratified.

R. Deischl

Jörg Asmussen in discussion with India’s Labour Secretary Gauri Kumar.