According to the MoA, the BFFEA, BSFF and the ACILS will work together to ensure compliance issue and labour rights at the shrimp and fish processing industry in Bangladesh.
US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena while speaking at the signing ceremony emphasised on importance of the MoA to retain country's GSP facility in the US market.
"This MoA is an important element of Bangladesh's response to the concerns raised in the GSP petition regarding labour rights and working conditions in both RMG and shrimp industries", Mr Mozena said.
BFFEA president Md Aminullah, BSFF chairman Syed Mahmudul Huq and Solidarity Center's country programme director Alonzo Suson signed the MoA on behalf their respective organisations at BRAC Inn in the city.
The signing ceremony was addressed, among others, by Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Ujjwal Bikash Dutta, Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, Labour and Employment Secretary Mikail Shipar, Foreign Affairs Secretary Md Shahidul Haque and Mission Director of USAID-Bangladesh Richard Greene.
As per the MoA, they will promote and implement Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA) 2006 and International Labour Organisation (ILO) Core Labour Standards in the shrimp industry of the country.
Mr Mozena said, "Today's MoA concretely demonstrates the resolve of Bangladeshi government, business sector and workers to ensure protection of workers' rights and workplace safety."
Relating to hygiene and food safety, America endeavors to increase capacity of Quality Control Laboratory of the Department of Fisheries in Bangladesh, he said.
