September 26, 2005

The MFA Forum brings together retailers and brands, trade unions, NGOs (including the Maquila Solidarity Network), and national and multilateral public institutions to identify and promote collaborative strategies to support vulnerable national garment industries and greater respect for workers' rights in the post-quota period.

The MFA Forum has been engaging with the Government of Bangladesh, the industry association and local unions and NGOs on a wide range of issues facing the Bangladeshi garment industry including abnormally low wages, non-compliance with labour standards, manufacturers closing factories and shifting investments abroad, poor infrastructure, and corruption.

Unfortunately, the growing pressure on the Bangladeshi garment industry for significant improvements in health and safety practices has not yet resulted in major improvements at the factory level.

• Read more about the MFA Forum