US to use Presidential Memorandum for Bangladesh labour rights

The United States has rolled out the Presidential Memorandum for advancing workers' rights at home and abroad including in Bangladesh.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the new policy of US President Joe Biden on Thursday.

The US administration could impose sanctions, trade penalties and visa restrictions on the violators of labour rights under the new policy titled “Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labour Standards Globally.”

"We want to be there for people like Kalpona Atker, a Bangladeshi garment worker and activist, who says that she is alive today because the US embassy advocated on her behalf," Blinken said while announcing the policy.

In a statement, the US Department of State said they would begin implementing key actions from President Biden’s Presidential Memorandum on Advancing Worker Empowerment, Rights, and High Labour Standards Globally. 

“Labour rights are integral to building democracy, achieving economic growth, strengthening supply chain resilience, and levelling the playing field for American workers and companies.”

“This new whole-of-government approach will advance worker empowerment and unions, in line with President Biden’s policies here at home.

“The Presidential Memorandum for the first time directs Chiefs of Mission and department officials to directly engage in labour diplomacy and enhancing programming and public messaging on workers and labour rights,” read the statement.

The department’s efforts to advance internationally recognized workers’ rights will be carried out alongside interagency partners, including the US Department of Labour.

This Memorandum is intended to raise global labour standards, building on the full range of existing authorities and tools in diplomacy, foreign assistance and programming, law enforcement, and global trade and economic cooperation, consistent with relevant international obligations and commitments.

“Through the new Presidential Memorandum, the US looks forward to advancing worker rights at home and in Bangladesh,” the US embassy in Dhaka said.

Source: UNB