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Bangladesh exports up 7pc, police arrest 17 in killer factory fire
BANGLADESHI exports increased 7.22 per cent in May year on year to US$2.7 billion buoyed by stronger clothing sales.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, in the first 11 months of this fiscal year, exports rose 12.56 per cent to $27.37 billion from a year earlier. Garment exports surged 15 per cent to $22.2 billion in July-May.
Separately, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has accused 17 people of breaching regulations over the construction of a building that collapsed last year, killing 1,130 garment workers.
The collapse of Rana Plaza, built on swampy ground outside Dhaka, sparked a global outcry for improved safety standards as the world's second-largest exporter of ready-made garments.
The accused include the parents of Mohammad Sohel Rana, the alleged owner of Rana Plaza, a local mayor, engineers and three owners of garment factories that used the building, reported Reuters.
They do not include Mr Rana himself, who was arrested after a four-day hunt shortly after the building collapsed, allegedly trying to flee across the border to India.
Companies are split over how to improve conditions. Big European firms signed an accord that would make them legally responsible for safety. US groups such as Walmart have broken ties with non-compliant factories.
Late last year, the government raised the monthly minimum wage for garment workers 77 per cent to BDT5,300 (US$68) and amended its labour law to boost worker rights, including the freedom to form trade unions.
According to the Export Promotion Bureau, in the first 11 months of this fiscal year, exports rose 12.56 per cent to $27.37 billion from a year earlier. Garment exports surged 15 per cent to $22.2 billion in July-May.
Separately, Bangladesh's Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has accused 17 people of breaching regulations over the construction of a building that collapsed last year, killing 1,130 garment workers.
The collapse of Rana Plaza, built on swampy ground outside Dhaka, sparked a global outcry for improved safety standards as the world's second-largest exporter of ready-made garments.
The accused include the parents of Mohammad Sohel Rana, the alleged owner of Rana Plaza, a local mayor, engineers and three owners of garment factories that used the building, reported Reuters.
They do not include Mr Rana himself, who was arrested after a four-day hunt shortly after the building collapsed, allegedly trying to flee across the border to India.
Companies are split over how to improve conditions. Big European firms signed an accord that would make them legally responsible for safety. US groups such as Walmart have broken ties with non-compliant factories.
Late last year, the government raised the monthly minimum wage for garment workers 77 per cent to BDT5,300 (US$68) and amended its labour law to boost worker rights, including the freedom to form trade unions.
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