Worker Safety and Labor Rights in Bangladesh's Garment Sector

This report by the committee's majority staff examines the progress made on worker safety and labor rights in the Bangladesh garment industry since the Tazreen Fashions factory fire in November 2012 and the Rana Plaza factory collapse in April 2013. It is based on a field visit by the committee's majority staff to Bangladesh in August 2013, as well as extensive staff meetings with experts and stakeholders in Washington, D.C. Bangladesh is a country of strategic interest to the United States. The continued growth of its garment sector is critical to supporting the country's economic development, a goal our country enthusiastically supports. While much attention has been paid to improving fire and building safety in the garment sector, more efforts are needed to improve labor rights and empower workers to ensure their own safety.