"It underscores growing international concern over the deterioration of labour rights in the Bangladesh garment industry," the Netherlands-based group said in a statement. "We strongly encourage the Government of Bangladesh to take immediate steps to ensure the protection of the workers' rights, with special attention to the legitimate representatives of the workers who have been arrested." Bangladeshi government and apparel industry officials dismissed allegations that the labour rights of garment workers had deteriorated since workers protested in Dhaka's Ashulia industrial area in December demanding higher pay. The fashion industry has come under increasing pressure to improve factory conditions and workers' rights since the Rana Plaza garment factory complex collapsed in Bangladesh four years ago, killing more than 1,100 people. "To maintain a peaceful environment, the law enforcement agency took measures, but it does not mean that the workers' rights have been violated," Haque told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Source: bd News24 February 23, 2017 04:28 UTC