President of Bangladesh Readymade Garment Manufacturers and Exporters (BGMEA) Atiqul Islam on Monday said the Bangladeshi apparel factory owners want to project their products through ‘Made in Bangladesh with Pride’.
“Some foreign campaigners are engaged in negative publicity against Bangladesh garment products labeling with blood, but we want to project our products as made in Bangladesh with pride, not blood,” he said while exchanging views with senior journalists at BGMEA Bhaban in the city.
Atiq, who recently visited USA with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed and also held series of meetings with US Senators, Congressmen, buyers, and retailers, came out with sharp reaction over a letter sent to the American Senators from the Bangladeshi labour leaders.
“We think, this is an anti-state activity. We demand the people who sent the letter to the US Senators should be brought under trial as per law. This is a part of conspiracy,” he said.
There is a news report that some labour leaders sent a letter to American Senators brining allegation of labour exploitation in Bangladeshi apparel factories. The letter was sent by local representative of ‘IndustriAll’, a global labour right and trade union body.
The BGMEA president mentioned that when the Bangladesh delegation, led by the Commerce Minister, met with the Senators, they brought to “our notice about labour exploitation” in Bangladesh garment sector showing the letter.
Referring to their meetings with US Senators and other trade bodies, he alleged that some quarters are sending negative messages against Bangladesh.
“But the Bangladesh delegation has been successful to convince the US Senators and other bodies that situation has improved a lot. Both Bangladesh government and garment factory owners are working hard to improve the situation further, particularly in regard to labour safety, security and compliance issues,” Atiq said.
He said it is unfortunate that when hearing on Bangladeshi garment industry takes place in the US Senate committee, no representative is invited from the garment manufacturers. Only garment workers’ representatives are invited there.
He said that 98 percent of the factories were found to be safe and compliant with global standard in the recent survey, conducted by USA and European buyers under Accord and Alliance banner. Only 2 percent factories are not up to the mark.
The BGMEA president alleged that though different global brands who take Bangladeshi garments had made commitment to help rehabilitate the workers losing jobs for survey are not keeping their words.
