British Labour Party Spokesperson for International Trade Rushanara Ali has criticised the US for suspending the GSP facility for Bangladesh.
“We are very disappointed about the American decision, Congress’s decision,” she said at a press conference at a city hotel Friday also attended by another Labour Party lawmaker, Shabana Mahmood.
“That sends a wrong message. It suggests that they can turn their back on the industry rather than actually take responsibility and help to fix it,” Rushanara Ali said.
“The role of US is critical. It is a major market for this sector and we need to make sure that there is a constructive response not a destructive response.”
The British opposition lawmakers began a weeklong visit to Dhaka on Wednesday with a delegation of MPs from the UK All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh. Rushanara Ali said they wanted to know about the situation in country so they could put pressure on their own companies.
Shabana Mahmood said it was very disappointing that the multinational companies (MNCs) could not reach a conclusion to compensate the Rana Plaza victims. “Those companies have responsibilities to comply with the compensation packages,” she said, adding that the MNCs must also be involved in improving regulation.
“It is got to be an understanding that large multinational companies have a role to play in setting those [building regulation] conditions. I think it is very disappointing that there has not been.”
The British lawmakers met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday and raised the issue of holding a free and fair election.
“We all want to see peace and stability and we want to see that all parties play their part in making sure that there are free and fair elections,” Rushanara Ali said.
“The election process will be determined by the political parties and their leadership. The responsibility is with the leadership across the parties in this country,” she added.
A press release issued by the office of Rushanara Ali said the British parliamentarians had highlighted the need for discussions among all parties.
Shabana Mahmood said: “In the meeting with the prime minister, we highlighted the need for Bangladesh to work for peace and stability and that in the run up to the general election, it is vital that dialogue between all political parties is kept open to ensure free and fair elections.”
