News
RBPP 6th Charity Iftar in aid of Apasen International
This was held in Ramadan
The RBPP is a finalist at the Fusion Awards 2014
Community Group of the Year
Media Links:
http://www.asianimage.co.uk/news/11137507.print/
RBPP call for action in Bangladesh Ready Made Garment (RMG) Sector - 17th Nov 2013
The Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project (RBPP) hosted a meeting to discuss the current situation of the Ready Made Garments (RMG) Sector in Bangladesh since the Savar tragedy in February that saw over 1100 people killed and over 2500 injured due to the collapse of a factory building.
Simon Danczuk MP for Rochdale sits on the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Bangladesh. The APPG MP’s visited Bangladesh recently to meet with industry leaders, government and opposition leaders, victims and their families and see 1st hand what is going on. The Chair of the APPG Anne Main MP (St Albans) tasked her team to research into the causes of, and circumstances surrounding, the Rana Plaza collapse. A report has been published on the 13th November 2013 and launched in Parliament with the findings and recommendations.
It is important to point out the economic success story of the readymade garment (RMG) industry in Bangladesh is undoubtedly clear for everyone to see – as it has become the 2nd largest in the world only to China. However, there are concerns due to the tragedies that have occurred in recent times, and unless something is done to improve health & safety, working conditions, pay etc - its long term viability is at risk.
At the meeting Simon Danczuk MP talked through a slideshow of images he had captured whilst on his visit as well as talking about the report and political/economic situation in Bangladesh. Simon said: “I am pleased to share my experiences from the visit and the work of the APPG on Bangladesh. I know the RBPP has had an input into the Safety Accord and I thank you for allowing me to come and talk to you today. The tragedy of the Rana Plaza collapse was witnessed around the world and I know that there is a global interest in ensuring that this does not happen again in Bangladesh or anywhere else. I hope our report contributes towards ensuring a prosperous RMG sector in Bangladesh but most importantly towards ensuring safe working conditions and fair treatment for garment factory workers. I am sure you will be pleased that my colleagues from the APPG made up of cross party MP’s are working together and the report gives weight to our recommendations. I along with my APPG colleagues will closely monitor over the coming weeks and months how the work is coming along and I also hope that the Foreign Office/DFID will also closely scrutinise it.”
The meeting was also joined by Stirling Smith who is an independent consultant working for a number of companies on Ethical trading around South East Asia. Stirling said: “I welcome the APPG report and I really hope the powers that be take up the recommendations. At present the lack of research and solid data - in itself speaks volumes about the attitude of the Bangladesh elite towards the people who produce most of the export earnings and wealth of the country. So I am sure this report is going to move things forward, if taken seriously by the authorities. I thank the RBPP for keeping me in the loop and hope to work together in promoting the safe working conditions and the ethical responsibility retailers like H&M, Tesco’s, Walmart, Matalan et al have when producing ready-made garments from Bangladesh. I have a simple message for everyone concerned - let’s not wait for the next disaster please.”
Dr Musharraf Hussain (RBPP-Vice Chair) and Cllr Farooq Ahmed (RBPP advisor & Cabinet Portfolio holder for Finance at Rochdale Borough Council) also spoke briefly after some questions were taken from the participants. Cllr Shefali Begum was also present at the meeting along with other RBPP members and members of the community and representatives of various organisations.
Mohammed Dobir Miah, the Co-ordinator of Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project said: "We are extremely grateful for Simon Danczuk MP and Stirling Smith to come and talk to us about this very important issue that Rochdale’s British Bangladeshi’s are concerned about. We hope that the report published by the APPG will be taken seriously by the Bangladesh government, authorities and indeed the RMG sector leaders. The UK department for international development (DFID) must scrutinise and hold retailers and factory owners to account via the Bangladesh Government and its counterparts. We may want good quality clothes at cheap prices but not at the expense of tragedies that take away so many lives. We also call on UK retailers to work according to the Bangladesh safety accord and improve conditions for garment workers by taking on the recommendations from the APPG report. Can I finally thank everyone who attended the meeting and ask anyone interested to visit our website for more details.”
For those of you who want a copy of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) report on Bangladesh, you can download from here:
http://www.annemain.com/pdf/APPG_Bangladesh_Garment_Industry_Report.pdf
Simon Danczuk MP shared the following images from his visit to Bangladesh (Sept 2013 with APPG)
RBPP “Charity Iftar” raises money for Rochdale Foodbank & Springhill Hospice
The Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project (RBPP) raised £502 at its 4th annual Charity Iftar – a gathering to break the fast in the Muslim holy month of Ramadan – on Wednesday night (31st July 2013).
The beneficiaries this year are Rochdale Foodbank and Springhill Hospice. Both of the local charities are doing some exceptional work in the community. The Rochdale Foodbank provides at least 3 days' worth of nutritionally-balanced food for local people in crisis, and Springhill Hospice which provides a 16 bed in-patient unit, daycare services and includes end of life care for local people.
The Charity Iftar, held at the Thamin Restaurant in Littleborough, was hosted by Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project (RBPP) Co-ordinator Dobir Miah & Vice Chairperson Dr Musharraf Hussain.
Members of the RBPP including Secretary Sajjad Miah, were joined by friends, family and members of the public as well as local dignitaries. We were pleased to have a cross representation of people from the Borough’s multi faith communities, Rochdale Council leader Councillor Colin Lambert, Councillor Ashley Dearnley, Councillor Sultan Ali (who is also a trustee of Springhill Hospice), Officers from GMP, Iain & Margaret Wight of the Foodbank, Jonathan Parris (Chief Executive – Springhill Hospice), John Johnson, Sharon Jones, Hellal Choudhury, Shaukat Ali amongst many others .
The RBPP organises an Iftar (gathering) on an annual basis,
but since 2010 decided to include
fundraising as part of it.
The event started with introductions and then a brief outline of the project given
by Dobir Miah, Dr Musharraf Hussain then talked about the importance and benefits of
Ramadan. A number of the dignitaries addressed the gathering. This followed by a meal
to open the fast at the end of the day when the sun sets, prayers were said and it
concluded with fundraising.
Mohammed Dobir Miah, the Co-ordinator of Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project
said: "We are grateful for the overwhelming support we received and for all the donations
made at the charity Iftar, the amount raised on the night will mean 2 local charities will
get a little contribution to support them with their causes. On behalf of the RBPP I would
like to thank all those who took part in the Charity Iftar. We hope that our contribution will go a long way to help those who are in crisis and those that need care in the community. I would like to thank Hocky & his team at the Thamin for their great food & hospitality. I would also like to thank 2 local businesses iLead Associates Ltd & CommuniTea CIC for sponsoring the whole event”
The RBPP work to exchange and foster mutual understanding between British Bangladeshis and indeed other communities. It is currently working on a heritage project to showcase the history, tradition and culture to the people of Rochdale. To find out more about the work of the Rochdale Bangladeshi Partnership Project please visit their website – www.rbpp.org.uk
News links for RBPP:
Sylhet to Rochdale: British Bangladeshis explore their roots:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0178mmt
Young people's heritage project launched:
Rochdale marks 42nd Bangladesh Independence Day:
Forming a friendship link with Bangladesh
http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news/24799/forming-a-friendship-link-with-bangladesh
Our LinkedIn page:
http://www.linkedin.com/groups/Rochdale-Bangladeshi-Partnership-Project-3952368
