BEPZA wants no change in EPZ law

BEPZA is opposed to the USTR proposal of repealing or overhauling the existing workers’ safety law for export processing zones in Bangladesh.   “The workers’ rights of collective bargaining in the EPZ factories are better protected than anywhere else in the country under the present law. So, we strongly oppose any change to it,” said Maj Gen KM Mominur Rahman, executive chairman of BEPZA.   Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) administers eight EPZs’ workers as per a law different from Labour Act 2006 which has recently seen some amendments. The law for EPZ workers is titled as “The EPZ Workers Welfare Association and Industrial Relations Act, 2010.”   In its “Bangladesh Plan 2013”, the United States Trade Representatives (USTR) urged Bangladesh to repeal or bring it into conformity with international standards so EPZ workers enjoy same freedom of association and collective bargaining rights as do other workers in the country.    According to BEPZA, it allows trade unionism in the form of Workers Welfare Association (WWA) and 188 collective bargaining agents (CBA) in all EPZs. WWA and CBAs can exercise their rights with full freedom, it adds.     On June 27, the US administration suspended Bangladesh’s trade benefits under the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in the US market being discontent over Bangladesh government’s progress in protecting workers’ rights.    Then, the US provided Bangladesh with an action plan which, if implemented, could provide a basis for the President to consider the reinstatement of GSP trade benefits.   USTR urged Bangladesh to formulate regulations till the change of the EPZ law to ensure transparency. It also suggested that there is a necessity of ensuring inspection and procedural standards in the rest part of the RMG sector.   Mominur Rahman said BEPZA conducts regular inspections and take necessary measures to ensure compliance and labour rights.   He said labour compliances are directly supervised by Industrial Relations Department (IRD) of the EPZs.     Commenting on “blacklisting,” the BEPZA executive chairman told the Dhaka tribune that there was no blacklisted factory in the EPZs. “All EPZ factories including of readymade garment maintain the highest standard of labour rights in Bangladesh,” he claimed.    Replying to a question on inspection, Mominur Rahman said there are currently 130 officials assigned to inspect 420 factories at a ratio of one inspector for three factories.     “There is global conspiracy against the EPZs,” he complained, announcing that no other factory in Bangladesh can reach the level of standard the EPZ factories have attained in a short period of time.