Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan met Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Anisul Huq to discuss significant advancements made in the RMG sector of Bangladesh in recent years. These advancements include notable improvements in trade union activities, workplace safety, wages, skill development, and labour welfare.
The discussion meeting took place at the secretariat building in Dhaka.
Faruque Hassan also thanked the Government for its proactive measures, particularly the labour law revisions that improved the rights and welfare of workers.
To further advance worker rights and welfare issues, the Government has devised a roadmap in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), which Faruque Hassan reiterated the RMG industry’s alignment with.
The topic of Bangladesh’s removal from the Least Developed Country (LDC) classification was also discussed.
Faruque Hassan emphasised the importance of preferential trade agreements (PTAs) and free trade agreements (FTAs) to diversify export markets beyond traditional ones, ensuring sustained economic growth in the post-LDC period.
He highlighted the potential of PTAs and FTAs to stimulate economic growth by increasing export.
He urged the Government to streamline business-related laws and regulations, including taxation, value-added tax (VAT), and other facets of cross-border trade, to facilitate a more business-friendly environment.
The meeting was also attended by former BGMEA president Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, Director Neela Hosna Ara, and BGMEA Standing Committee Chair on Labour and ILO Affairs ANM Saifuddin. Law and Justice Division Secretary Md Golam Sarwar, were also present at the meeting.
