Bangladesh aims to regain the Generalised System of Preference (GSP) privileges from the United States soon, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said.
“The government has already met 13 of the 16 conditions set by the US,” the minister said at the regular parliament session on Tuesday evening.
“We are hopeful of meeting the three remaining conditions as early as possible,” Tofail said in reply to a supplementary question in the Jatiya Sangsad.
The conditions are appointment of 200 inspectors, permitting trade unions at export processing zones (EPZs) and solving allegations of torture on workers in 19 factories, the minister said.
"I think that it will not be difficult for the government to fulfill these three conditions," Tofail said.
“Appointment 200 inspectors have already been discussed in the last cabinet meeting. The appointments can be made through an order.”
The minister admitted that trade unions are currently not allowed in the EPZs. “The government is considering the mater in line with existing labour laws.”
Tofail said the labour, foreign and commerce ministries are looking in the allegations of torture on workers in 19 factories.