BSS, Dhaka :
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed urged the US to consider duty free and quota free (DFQF) market access of Bangladeshi apparels to US market as the initiative can further boost the ongoing progress of the RMG industry that has employed more than 3 million women in the sector.
The commerce minister made this appeal while holding meeting with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Michael Froman, Congressman Sander Levin, high officials from the Department of State as well as Department of Labour on Wednesday in Washington DC.
A press release received here today from Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC said that during discussion with the officials of the US government, the commerce minister briefed them of the progress made in accordance with the US ‘Action Plan for Generalized System of Preferences (GSP)’. The minister emphasized that taking into account the tremendous progress made in the last one year and a half it is time for Bangladesh to get the GSP benefit back.
During the meetings, Tofail Ahmed also informed the US officials about the series of actions taken by the government of Sheikh Hasina to improve workers safety and labour rights in the RMG industry.
The series of actions included among others amendment of Labour Law, appointment of inspectors, comprehensive assessment of fire and building safety, adoption of National Occupational Safety and Health Policy 2013, launching Better Work Program, establishment of hotlines, reviewing the BEPZA Act and so on.
“Due to extensive safety measures the industry has not witnessed any accident since the Rana Plaza incident, he mentioned. “With the directives of Prime Minster Sheikh Hasina, the government had meanwhile increased the minimum wage by 219 per cent in last four years”, the minister informed the US officials during the meeting.
The government has waved duties on all fire safety equipment which will encourage the owners to install fire fighting measures cost effectively, the minister added.
The commerce minister also rebuffed alleged reports of harassment and intimidation of the labour leaders in the RMG factories.
Tofail Ahmed, however, highlighted that the support and assistance of private sector like BGMEA and BKMEA, ILO, Alliance, Accord and a number of western countries including the US was critical for the government in making substantial progress in a short period of time.
