The country’s apparel manufacturers and exporters will sit Sunday next to devise mechanism to deal with present situation being faced by the RMG industry after suspension of Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) by the United States.
“We are going to hold a meeting on July 28 to find reasons and a way out of the situation,” said Md Atiqul Islam, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at an Iftar party in the capital Dhaka on Tuesday.
He urged all factory owners to pay salaries and bonus of garments workers before the upcoming Eid-ul-Fitr to avoid possible labour unrest.
“Though, it will be painful for factory owners to pay all dues of workers in the present situation, but despite all odds, we need to do that,” said Islam.
On new labour law, he said it is hard to implement it, but “we are obliged to do so.”
In a sharp contrast, earlier the BGMEA welcomed the new labour law saying it will allow full freedom to trade unionism in the industries, terming it a timely step.
Under immense pressure from international buyers and different labour organisations, the parliament recently passed the Bangladesh Labour (Amendment) Bill 2013, incorporating some provisions including allowing formation of trade unions without informing the factory owners.
The US suspended the GSP to Bangladesh last month over shortcomings in safety and labour standards
Thursday, June 04, 2026
