The US ambassador Marcia Bernicat has called for a "prompt decision" from the government and the apparel makers on extending the mandates of Accord and Alliance in Bangladesh.
"I urge the BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) and the government of Bangladesh to come to a quick resolution on the Accord and Alliance's extension in Bangladesh," she said on Monday.
The delays in approving their extension will send a negative signal to buyers and consumers that Bangladesh is not committed to workplace safety, she noted.
The US envoy made the remarks at a press conference organised by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at its headquarters in Dhaka.
The trade body organised the conference to announce the journalism study tour of USA by six BGMEA-BUFT fellowship awardees under the International Visitor Leadership Programme.
BGMEA president Md Siddiqur Rahman, vice presidents Faruque Hassan, Mahmud Hasan Khan, Mohammed Nasir, and SM Mannan Kochi were present at the conference, among others.
Bangladesh's garment sector is now much safer than 2013, the US diplomat said.
Bangladesh and the BGMEA must do a better job at marketing the dramatic improvements, she added.
She, however, said there is still work to be done on factory and building safety.
She stressed the need for continuing the efforts that the remediated factories stay safe in the future.
Besides, she said, the new workers entering the industry need to be properly trained on safety practices.
Factory safety and labour rights are priorities not just for the US government but also for US legislators, civil society, businesses and consumers, she said.
Respecting workers' rights is the right thing to do, she asserted.
"It is important to ensure free and fair trade and investment around the world," Ms Bernicat said.
"No one should gain an unfair competitive advantage by treating workers unfairly or not paying them a living wage," she said.
After the Rana Plaza building collapse in 2013, two platforms namely Accord and Alliance were formed to improve workplace safety in the country's readymade garment sector.
The activities of Accord and Alliance will expire on May and July respectively.
The government recently decided to extend the activities of the Accord until a national competent body is established to take over the charge of the ongoing safety initiatives.
A joint safety monitoring committee is also in process to carry on Alliance's activities. Until the formation of the committee, its ongoing tenure is scheduled to be extended until December 2018.
She said the recent proposals to reform the Bangladesh Labour Act and the EPZ Labour Law are moves in right direction.
She called for doing more to meet the international standards recommended by the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The US diplomat also suggested "seizing the moment" ahead of the International Labour Conference, which started on Monday in Geneva.
She also referred to the Sustainability Compact scheduled for on June 25 next.
