Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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410. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide an update on the EU's efforts to improve the condition of workers in Bangladesh's leather industry; his views on a ban on leather imports from the country in the absence of urgent improvements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45088/14]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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I am aware of recent press reports on the conditions of workers in the leather industry in Bangladesh.

We have requested our officials in Brussels to obtain further information on the EU’s support programme to workers in the leather industry in Bangladesh and we will forward the information to the Deputy once it has been received.

The Government is concerned regarding the current state of labour conditions in Bangladesh. The promotion and protection of human rights is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign policy. During Bangladesh’s ‘Universal Periodic Review’ at the UN Human Rights Council in 2013, Ireland recommended that Bangladesh ensure widespread, unannounced and rigorous factory inspections. These recommendations were accepted by Bangladesh.

In response to the collapse of the Rana Plaza Garmet Factory Collapse in April 2013, the Government of Bangladesh has worked to reform labour laws. The former European Commissioner for Trade Karel De Gucht and the former Commissioner for Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion László Andor speaking in July 2014, called on the Government of Bangladesh to complete this labour law reform, training and recruitment of inspectors and to create the conditions for meaningful freedom of association for workers in Bangladesh. They added that better labour conditions would support sustainable trade links with many markets, especially the European Union. I hope that these reforms are implemented without delay and benefit workers in all sectors in Bangladesh, including in the leather industry.