Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Monday, 19 November 2012, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 November 2012. It was answered by Alan Duncan (Conservative) on Monday, 26 November 2012 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Foreign Workers

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what arrangements are in place to monitor working conditions and living standards of employees who work in firms established in UK-supported export processing zones.

[129507]

Answer

DFID is helping to deliver good social and environmental standards in economic processing zones (EPZs). For example, in Bangladesh DFID is working with the World Bank and International Finance Corporation (IFC) to support a network of 60 labour counsellors who have helped to increase compliance with labour laws in the country's eight EPZs, from 30-40% to 92% of companies. In 2012, 99% of grievances were resolved. These labour counsellors have also helped to set up Worker Welfare Associations in EPZ factories. More than half of companies operating in the EPZs now have Worker Welfare Associations. The minimum wage inside the EPZs is 33% higher than outside, and the labour counsellors are reporting a 95% compliance with the payment of this minimum wage.

Through the IFC, DFID has also supported the drafting of a new Economic Zones Act which was passed in 2010. The Act enshrines in law all of the gains for labour in the current EPZs, and seeks to expand worker rights.

Firms who locate their business in special economic zones are expected to comply with local labour laws.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 129507; 554 c84W
Session: 2012-13
Subjects: Staff Migrant workers Working conditions Trade Standard of living
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk

Foreign Workers

Secondary information

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