Photo : Collected
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought support and collaboration from the US government to ensure fair minimum prices of garments.
It has also sought a unified code of conduct for social audits.
The BGMEA further demanded the US government reinstate the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) in favour of Bangladesh and include garment items in its GSP programme.
BGMEA President SM Mannan (Kochi) raised the demands at a meeting between the visiting delegation of the US Trade Representative (USTR) and the association held at the BGMEA Complex in the capital on Monday.
The high-level engagement aimed to discuss critical issues surrounding bilateral trade and policies, including workers' rights, wellbeing, and market access matters.
Led by Brendan Lynch, assistant US trade representative for South and Central Asia, the USTR delegation also comprised Emily Ashby, USTR director for South and Central Asia, and Jennifer Oetken, USTR director for labour affairs.
Joseph Giblin, economic unit chief, and Leena Khan, labour attaché at the US embassy in Dhaka, were also present in the meeting, said a press release.
The BGMEA side was headed by its President SM Mannan (Kochi) and included Senior Vice President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President (Finance) Md Nasir Uddin, and Vice President Abdullah Hil Rakib.
Directors of BGMEA Asif Ashraf, Shovon Islam, Mohammad Sohel Sadat, Md Ashikur Rahman (Tuhin), Shams Mahmud, Nusrat Bari Asha, and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO and Labour Affairs ANM Saifuddin were present as well.
During the discussion, BGMEA President SM Mannan (Kochi) shared updates on the significant progress made by the ready-made garment industry in the areas of workplace safety, workers' rights, and the ongoing labour law reforms in Bangladesh.
He reiterated the commitment and the ongoing efforts of the government of Bangladesh and the industry to make further progress in workers' rights and welfare issues.
While the USTR delegation appreciated the progress Bangladesh had made in the past few areas in the labour sector, they briefed the meeting about the US government's labour action plan and areas where further improvements are required, including amendments to the Bangladesh Labour Act.
The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration and engagement to make the garment industry more sustainable.
USTR is responsible for developing and coordinating US international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the US Trade Representative, a cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.
Besides, USTR is part of the Executive Office of the president. Through an interagency structure, USTR coordinates trade policy, resolves disagreements, and frames issues for presidential decisions.
USTR also serves as vice chairman of the Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is on the Board of Directors of the Millennium Challenge Corporation, is a non-voting member of the Export-Import Bank Board of Directors, and is a member of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and Financial Policies.
Messenger/Fameema
