Staff Reporter :Rejecting the recent research study report of Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) about the country’s readymade garment (RMG) sector, leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have termed it as false, fabricated and intentional. “We have rejected outright the allegations of corruption in the RMG sector and condemned the research report of TIB. Its research and findings are false, fabricated and intentional,” BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman said this at an emergency press conference held in its auditorium in the city on Friday afternoon. Siddiqur Rahman also raised question about methodology of the research of TIB as he said that it did not follow the process properly in its research. “Hundreds of owners, buyers and workers are related to the RMG sector. But the TIB took 74 persons’ interview to find out the corruption in the sector which is unexpected,” the BGMEA president said.He also said that the TIB did not talk with any BGMEA leaders in this regard. Senior Vice President of BGMEA Faruque Hassan, Vice President (Finance) Mohammed Nasir, Directors Inamul Haq Khan (Bablu), Abdullah Hil Rakib, Mahidul Islam Khan, Md Ashikur Rahman (Tuhin), Iqbal Hamid Quraishi (Adnan), Md Munir Hossain, Anwar Kamal Pasha, Md Nasir Uddin, Md Rezwan Selim, Syed Sadek Ahmed and Anowar Hossain (Manik) were present at the press briefing, among others. Siddiqur Rahman said, “We work to ensure good atmosphere in the factories under the supervision Accord, Allaince and NAP. The second review of sustainable compact will be held on January 28 in Dhaka. In the report, he said, “TIB also raised question about the interiority of RMG owners, buyers and workers which is totally undesirable and not favourable for the sector.” “We never expected such report from TIB when we have been trying to restore image and to develop the RMG sector after Tazreen and Rana Plaza tragedies. The report will hamper overall development of the sector,” he said. The BGMEA chief said, “As per I know that the TIB collects money from the foreign donors for doing research. It is spending the money to destabilise the RMG sector instead of research activities.” When asked about plan to take any legal action against TIB, Siddiqur Rahman said they had no plan to do that. “We just protested the remarks of TIB about the RMG sector because we are related to the industry. We will decide in our board meeting what can we do,” he said. The BGMEA president said that they would be looser due to the false research report and the sector would also suffer. About the illegal sub-contract in manufacturing system, he said only compliant factory has the right to manufacture the garment goods. The factory will be black listed if any factory manufactures the goods from non-compliant factory, he added. It may be mentioned that the TIB study report on Thursday said irregularities and corruption engulfed the entire procedure of supply chain in readymade garment (RMG) sector. “Corruption in the apparel industry has taken an institutional shape mainly due to lack of transparency, accountability and good governance,” Dr Iftekharuzzaman, Executive Director of TIB, said.
