Politicians, economist and factory owners yesterday urged the US government to restore Bangladesh’s GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) facilities, saying that the government and business entities have taken necessary measures to improve working conditions in the garments sector.
They also urged all to work together so that accidents like the Tazreen blaze or the Rana Plaza collapse do not occur again.
They made the request while speaking at the premier of a documentary, titled “It’s not all about the price tag,” by journalist Mohammad Mufazzal, at Dhaka Reporters’ Unity. The premier was also attended by State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena.
“I vigorously applaud this strong government leadership to work with America, the European Union and other international friends of Bangladesh to use the GSP Restoration Action Plan and the Sustainability Compact as roadmaps for transforming the apparel sector so it can grow and prosper,” Mozena said.
“Bangladesh has taken some steps following these roadmaps toward the shared goal of securing Bangladesh’s role as a preferred supplier in the global RMG marketplace,” he added.
He, however, emphasised that labour unions were critical to lift the sector to international standards, adding that all should ensure that the horrors of Tazreen Fashions and Rana Plaza were never repeated.
The US suspended Bangladesh’s Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility on June 27 last year to press the country to address workers’ safety.
The state minister said the government had taken most of the steps required for restoring the GSP facilities, and added that minimum wage scale has already been implemented in 80% to 85% garment factories.
“The government has already appointed 42 factory inspectors and 200 more will be appointed by March-April this year. The ministry was also working to ensure trade unions in garment industries,” he added.
He also expressed hope that if a trustworthy relation can be built between factory owners and workers, then all problems in the sector will be solved.
BGMEA Vice President Reaz-Bin-Mahmood said the association is working with the government to improve worker’s safety.
“We do not want workers to die in accidents like Rana Plaza,” he said.
Saying that factory owners had adopted many measures to ensure better working condition, Mahmood also noted that production cost in the garment industries had increased in the recent times and most were struggling to make profits after implementing the minimum wage scale.
