WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced the Global Labor Support Act to support and advance internationally recognized labor rights around the world.
The legislation follows the release last year of a Senate Foreign Relations Committee Democratic Staff investigation of the treatment of garment workers, labor rights, and factory safety in Bangladesh. The report, titled “Seven Years After Rana Plaza, Significant Challenges Remain,” found that labor rights in Bangladesh have declined sharply in recent years, with union organizers facing pressure on their ability to associate, organize, and demonstrate. Workers and labor unions across the globe are also experiencing similar challenges.
To respond to this deteriorating environment for labor rights and unions, the Global Labor Support Act authorizes significantly increased funding and support for labor rights programming, including a five-year extension of the Global Labor Program. It further strengthens U.S. engagement on global labor rights by establishing the position of Ambassador-at-Large for Global Labor Rights and requiring a new annual State Department report on the country-by-country status of internationally recognized labor rights. The legislation also specifically addresses the decline in labor rights in Bangladesh by authorizing new funding to support labor unions there and requiring the President to work with the Government of Bangladesh to update that government’s previous commitments regarding labor rights and worker safety.
“In April 2013, the Rana Plaza tragedy showed the world the devastation caused when workers are not able to organize and stand up for their rights. Unfortunately, in Bangladesh and many other countries, the situation for workers has only deteriorated since then,” Chairman Menendez said. “In the face of these challenges, I am proud to introduce the Global Labor Support Act, which authorizes significant increases to funding for labor rights and union strengthening programming and boosts our diplomatic engagement on labor rights through the creation of an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Labor Rights. By supporting labor rights and labor unions, this legislation helps us build a better future for workers around the world.”
At a March 2020 event to unveil the SFRC report investigating the treatment of garment workers in Bangladesh, Senator Menendez was joined by AFL-CIO’s President Richard L. Trumka to discuss the need for a new legislative effort to help advance the global fight for freedom of association and workers’ rights at home and around the world.
Full text of this legislation can be found here.
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