BGMEA president asks labour leaders not to complain to foreigners

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Rubana Huq on Tuesday urged labour leaders to refrain from complaining about internal problems to foreigners, reports UNB.

"Foreign buyers don't increase the rate even though our production cost has increased immensely. If you complain to buyers than they get a chance to bargain and reduce prices," she told a roundtable on national budget at National Press Club.

Rubana said the owners should be united. “But sadly, we aren't and that's a barrier to the industry's development.”

The BGMEA president also said that the organisation will take all initiatives if the workers inform it of their demands first.

“The welfare of the workers means the industry's wellbeing. Don't create any violence. I'm with you,” she said.

Centre for Policy Dialogue research director Khondaker Golam Moazzem demanded increasing budget allocation for workers.

“It won't require a huge amount. Community based development is needed in the industry,” he said.

Moazzem also said that it is time to raise voice together for increasing prices of products.

Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, president of Bangladesh Textile Garments Workers Federation, put forth several proposals including starting ration system for workers.

“We’ve submitted our demands to the finance ministry. We’ll submit these to prime minister Sheikh Hasina as soon as possible,” he said.

ZM Kamrul Anam, president of Bangladesh Textile and Garments Workers League, urged the government to increase budget allocation for garment workers.