The leaders from the readymade garment (RMG) sector have stressed for a fair minimum price and a unified code of conduct during their meeting with the visiting delegation of the International Labour Organization (ILO) on Monday in the capital.
The ILO delegation, led by Country Director for Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen, met with Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) representatives, led by apex trade body’s President SM Mannan (Kochi).
BGMEA Director Mohiddin Rubel, who attended the meeting, told the Dhaka Tribune that the ILO delegation praised the progress made in the country's work environment, safety measures, and workers' rights since the Rana Plaza collapse.
The ILO delegation said that the work is not complete and called for continuous improvement in workers' rights, improving their living standards, and enhancing workplace safety. They urged RMG manufacturers to fully implement minimum wage standards across all factories in the country.
The ILO delegation comprising Mohamad Anis Agung Nugroho, programme manager of the Better Work Bangladesh project; Linnea Strand, programme and operations officer; and Md Saidul Islam, senior programme officer, engaged in discussions with BGMEA leaders regarding the progress of the ongoing ILO-led initiatives, especially Better Work Bangladesh aimed at enhancing working conditions and ensuring occupational safety for ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh.
BGMEA pushes for fair prices and unified code
BGMEA President SM Mannan Kochi argued that just as there's a minimum wage for workers, there should be a "fair minimum price" for apparel exporters. He emphasized that sustainable industry growth depends on fair pricing mechanisms.
He also addressed the necessity for a unified code of conduct for social and technical audits which will be universally accepted across the industry.
“I am urging the ILO to initiate the establishment of a code of conduct that will benefit all stakeholders including buyers, manufacturers, and workers worldwide,” he added.
The BGMEA president also urged the ILO to highlight this matter at global forums and in discussions with buyers, focusing on its importance in the labour-intensive garment sector.
They also discussed potential collaborations between the ILO and BGMEA to further develop the industry, with a specific focus on capacity building to align with evolving regulations such as the Due Diligence Directives and to enhance workers’ well-being.
BGMEA Vice-President Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Vice-President (Finance) Md Nasir Uddin, Vice-President Miran Ali, Vice-President Abdullah Hil Rakib, and Directors Md Imranur Rahman, Shovon Islam, Haroon Ar Rashid, Mohiuddin Rubel, Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Saifuddin Siddiquie Sagar, Md Rezaul Alam (Miru) and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Labour and ILO Affairs ANM Saifuddin were also present at the meeting.
Earlier on May 19, BGMEA also urged the EU envoys to help in capacity building of the industry in order to keep up with Due Diligence Directives and other new protocols.
BGMEA leaders also urged the EU to continue its support for Bangladesh’s RMG industry, particularly by extending the transition period from Everything But Arms (EBA) to GSP Plus as this extension is crucial to ensure that Bangladesh can sustain its economic growth even after graduating from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.