BGMEA leaders meet Nisha

DHAKA, Nov. 18 (BGMEA Press Release) — The Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Ms. Nisha Desai Biswal met the BGMEA’s Board of Directors  November 17, 2013 at a local hotel in Dhaka. She was accompanied by the US Ambassador to Dhaka and a few other US Government officials. The meeting continued for about 1.15 hours.

BGMEA’s President updated the Assistant Secretary of State regarding the various initiatives and actions taken in collaboration with the Government of Bangladesh, ILO, industry associations, labor unions and brands to ensure workplace safety and workers’ rights in the RMG industry in Bangladesh. He briefed the delegates about the activities of the National Tripartite Plan of Action, Accord, Alliance and BGMEA’s safety initiatives. The issue of minimum wage review was also discussed in particular along-with the importance of ethical pricing to afford the newly enhanced minimum wage and the ongoing workplace safety initiatives. Given all the efforts to bring tangible improvements, BGMEA requested the US Government to withdraw the suspension of GSP on Bangladesh and also reiterated the demand for duty free market access for apparel items in the United States to support the industry’s journey to sustainability.

The Assistant Secretary of State conveyed the vision of President Obama for a rebalanced Asia and the strategic importance of Bangladesh in this region. Underlining the importance of the readymade garment industry to the economic prosperity of Bangladesh, she stressed on the significance of union based labor rights and safe working condition in this industry.