BGMEA seeks US support on fair apparel prices

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support and collaboration of the US government to ensure a fair minimum price of apparel and a unified code of conduct for social audits.

The BGMEA also demanded that the US government reinstate 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 BGMEA held at the BGMEA Complex in Dhaka on Monday.

This high-level engagement aimed to discuss critical issues surrounding bilateral trade and policies including workers' rights, well-being and market access matters.

Led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, the USTR delegation also comprised USTR Director for South and Central Asia Emily Ashby, and USTR Director for Labour Affairs Jennifer Oetken. Economic Unit Chief Joseph Giblin, and Labour Attache in the US Embassy in Dhaka Leena Khan 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 also present.

During the discussions, the BGMEA president shared updates on the significant progress made by the ready-made garment industry regarding workplace safety, workers' rights, and ongoing labour law reforms in Bangladesh.

He reiterated the commitment and the ongoing efforts of the government of Bangladesh and of the industry to make further progress in workers' rights and welfare issues.

While the USTR delegates appreciated the progress Bangladesh 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 in the BLA.

The meeting highlighted the importance of collaboration and engagement towards making the RMG industry more sustainable.