Hans-Joachim Fuchtel, the German Parliamentary State Secretary during his recent visit to Dhaka Apparel Summit 2014 to promote the work of the Partnership for Sustainable Textiles announcement four Bangladeshi ready-made garment (RMG) companies have joined the partnership.

The Partnership for Sustainable Textiles which was recently established by German Federal Development Minister Dr Gerd Mueller with the aim of bringing about environmental and social improvements in the global textile supply chain.

The four companies - DBL Group, Niagara Textiles Ltd, Saiham Knit Composite Ltd. and JMS Holdings signed the Declaration of Accession on the ‘Partnership for Sustainable Textiles’. They have a combined annual turnover of EUR 580 million and employ 35,000 people according the German Embassy in Dhaka.

At the signing ceremony Fuchtel underlined that they strongly believe that these good examples will be followed by many more soon. He added that the federal ministry for economic cooperation and development has already invested €10 million in the ‘Partnership for Sustainable Textiles’ and promises additional funds of €6 million.”

At the event, Fuchtel also introduced ‘Labourline’ – a labour dispute settlement helpline, which provides information on labour-related issues and address shortcomings in resolving labour disputes. The helpline will support factory workers by settling disputes with owners and managers to ensure their rights. Fuchtel presented a symbolic Labourline to Mikail Shipar, secretary, ministry of labour and employment, Government of Bangladesh. (RKS).

The Embassy said that the four businesses have already been collaborating with GIZ, the German development agency and KfW, the German development bank "for many years to improve their social and environmental standards."