BGMEA has welcomed Walt Disney Company’s decision to reinstate production of branded merchandize in factories stalled eight years ago. The decision would help BGMEA attract orders worth more than $500 million in future. As per Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, Walt Disney would consider permitting production in Bangladesh in future, if factories agree to partner Better Work program.

The factories participating in ILO's Better Work program will be entitled to become a vendor, while they need to participate in NiIRAPON, an alliance of 23 foreign RMG brands and RMG Sustainability Council (RSC) along with specific remediation fulfillment criteria. Walt Disney stopped production activities in Bangladeshi factories in May 2013 following the fire at Tazreen Fashion in November 2012 that killed 112 RMG workers, and later, Rana Plaza Building collapse which killed more than 1,100 people, mostly readymade garment workers.

Now, it plans to reinstate Bangladesh as a permitted sourcing country list with International Labor Standard audits. It is the recognition of the all-out progress and transformation in the industry, particularly in the area of workplace safety, social standards, and environmental sustainability, Faruque added