The government is going to convert Workers Welfare Associations (WWA) into trade unions to allow the readymade garment workers for the formation of trade unions at the factories located at the Export Processing Zones (EPZs), as part of a move to fulfill the US conditions, for regaining the suspended GSP facilities.
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed came up with the disclosure while addressing an inaugural ceremony of a four-day GAP Expo-2014 being held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city yesterday.
Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) along with Zakaria Trade and Fair International, ASK Trade and Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd has organised the fair.
Addressing the function, Tofail said the country’s export to the market of the United State has been increased to US$273m despite the suspension of the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) slapped by the US government.
However, the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data also shows that Bangladesh has exported products worth $3.3bn in the first seven month of the current fiscal year, which is 9.12 % higher compared to %3.02bn for the same period of the fiscal 2012-13.
“The government has already met 13 conditions, out of 16, outlined by the US administration for the reinstatement of the GSP facilities for the revival of the GSP trade facilities. We will be able to meet rest of the conditions including the labour union right issue before April 15,” the minister hoped.
He also hinted that the government is going to convert the existing WWA into trade union to address the RMG workers’ right to form trade unions in the EPZs areas.
Commenting on the trade unionism in the RMG sector, the minister, however, categorically said, “Though there has been no trade union in the US so far, but they are forcing us to allow trade union Bangladesh.
Stressing the need for forging a national consensus on various national issues, Tofail Ahmed urged the opposition BNP not to go for any destructive political programmes for the interest of the country’s economic development.
The show is aimed at showcasing the latest garment manufacturing technologies, yarn and fabrics and garment accessories and packaging under one-roof to attract country readymade garment (RMG) entrepreneurs. Around 500 participants are taking part in the fair from around 25 countries. The fair, which began yesterday, will end on Sunday.
BGAPMEA president Rafez Alam Chowdhury said: If the government provides us the policy support we will be able to enhance our export value equivalents to $14bn by 2018 from $4.10bn.
Speaking as special guest, deputy governor of Bangladesh Bank SK Sur has assured the accessories manufacturers to provide all-out cooperation to boost up their business.
