A high-level delegation from the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) and the Fair Labor Association (FLA) visited the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on January 21, 2025.
The visit aimed to discuss labor rights issues and explore ways to enhance partnership between the United States and Bangladesh in the apparel sector.
Led by BGMEA Administrator Anwar Hossain, BGMEA was represented by BGMEA Support Committee members Miran Ali, Asif Ashraf, Rezwan Selim, ANM Saifuddin, Shihabuddoza Chowdhury, and Shams Mahmud.
The meeting highlighted opportunities for cooperation in developing a more sustainable and ethical apparel industry in Bangladesh, in addition to strengthening trade relations with the United States.
They discussed in detail the issues of workers’ rights, workplace safety, labor laws and reforms in Bangladesh.
The meeting focused on several key areas, including increasing trade access for Bangladeshi garments in the US market, promoting responsible purchasing practices and Bangladesh’s remarkable progress in sustainability initiatives.
During the meeting, the AAFA and FLA delegations explored potential collaborations in training programs for workers in the Bangladeshi garment sector and how to further enhance worker welfare.
During the meeting, BGMEA leaders called on AAFA, an organization representing over 1,000 global brands, retailers and manufacturers, and FLA to come forward to promote responsible purchasing practices, saying that this would benefit both buyers and suppliers.
BGMEA requested AAFA to support and advocate for Bangladesh’s trade interests in the US market to ensure continued growth and mutual benefit.
The delegation commended Bangladesh’s progress on labor rights and the government’s establishment of the Labor Reform Commission and labor law reform initiatives.
The delegation included Nat Herman, Senior Vice President, Policy, American Apparel & Footwear Association; Shelley Hahn, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff, Fair Labor Association; Ismail Murad, Manager-Corporate Social Responsibility | Bangladesh and Jordan, Columbia Sportswear Company; Kate Miller, Social Impact Manager, KMD Brands Limited; Tayyab Muhammad, Head of Finance/HR, Bangladesh, Perry Ellis International; Stella Mondal, Social Compliance Officer, Bangladesh, Perry Ellis International; Viola Wan, Director Social Sustainability, Puma; Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Manager Social Sustainability, Bangladesh, Puma; Moin Chowdhury, Branch Manager, Apparel & Accessories, Bangladesh, Puma; Bushra Baten, Manager, Corporate Responsibility, Bangladesh and Pakistan, PVH; Jessica Nursu, Regional Director, South Asia and Indonesia, VF Corporation; Tiffany Rogers, Director, Innovation and Development, Manufacturing, Fair Labor Association; Chaimi Azmi, Fair Compensation and Member Engagement Manager, Fair Labor Association and Hannah Larson, Social Compliance Associate, Fair Labor Association.
