Several BGMEA members demand cancellation of current board and polls

A number of members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have made the demand that a temporary committee be established to oversee a credible, free, and fair election for the trade association in place of the current board.

They made this demand at a press conference on the banner of BGMEA general members at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon on 31st August.

Mozammel Haque Bhuiyan, managing director of Maisha Fashion, read out a written statement with seven points demands. Mozammel demanded the dissolution of the current board and the establishment of an interim committee to oversee a free, fair, and credible election for the trade body.

He also called for an interim board to make a transparent voter list for conducting the next election.

Mozammel claimed that the Sheikh Hasina-led administration had a significant impact on the BGMEA election, which took place in February of this year, and that there were numerous irregularities.

Furthermore, he asserted that a large number of factories that were ineligible to vote in the previous election had trade licenses suspended and had not filed tax filings.

In light of these issues, Mozammel urged the commerce adviser and the interim government to intervene to safeguard the integrity of the garment sector.

The demands are:
The general members do not accept Khandkar Rafiqul Islam, the vice-president of the present committee of Kochi, the general secretary of Dhaka Metropolitan North Awami League, as the president of BGMEA. His appointment should be canceled immediately and the Board of Directors should be dissolved.

Formation of an interim management board of 20 members free from party influence in consultation with the members.

Formation of a judicial inquiry committee for transparent and proper investigation of all past corruptions of BGMEA.

The current chairman of BGMEA University (BUFT), Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin along with the existing board to be dissolved and a new board to be formed.

Compensation to the families of the victims of the student movementincluding late Salim Talukdar.

The apparel industry is dealing with a variety of issues in this setting of transformation. However, because he was involved in political programs, the BGMEA president’s attempt was not seen to address issues, according to Inamul Haq Khan, a former director of the organization.