Leaders of the country’s apparel industry have asked the Government to review particular provisions of the most recent labour law revisions, arguing that the changes went against the tripartite committee’s recommendations.
They also voiced their dissatisfaction over their repeated, fruitless attempts to meet with Prof. Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor, to discuss urgent matters pertaining to the industry.
“We have been trying for the last four months to get an appointment with the Chief Adviser, but despite several attempts, we haven’t been given any time,” stated Mahmud Hasan Khan, President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), during a press conference at the association’s capital headquarters.
The purpose of the press conference was to draw attention to the industry’s concerns on the planned labour law amendments, namely those pertaining to workers’ representation for trade union registration, LDC graduation and the recent increase in Chattogram port rates.
The draft Bangladesh Labour Act (Amendment) Ordinance 2025, which drastically lowers workers’ representation standards by basing them on numbers rather than the current percentage approach, was adopted by the Advisory Council last Thursday, prompting their demands.
In an organisation with 20 to 300 employees, at least 20 employees may apply to form a trade union under the updated draft. This is in contrast to the tripartite committee’s previous recommendation that factories with 50–500 employees have 50 workers’ representation.
Additionally, the change permits a single establishment to have up to five trade unions.
The BGMEA President claimed that the new laws would allow those who have nothing to do with the business, including house owners and jhut dealers, to organise unions, which would cause instability in the sector.
Additionally, he criticised the decision to permit participation in both the national pension plan, Pragati, and the provident fund, claiming that it would lead to management confusion, increased expenses and administrative complexity. He restated the tripartite committee’s suggestion that factories be permitted to select just one of the two plans.
Noting that about 258 factories closed in the past year, industry leaders requested the Government to amend the approved legislation taking into account the needs of the industry, workers and the overall economy.
They argued that increasing prices would reduce export competitiveness and criticised the Government’s plan to raise tariffs at Chattogram port, calling for a gradual increase linked to improvements in port efficiency.
In order to better prepare for a business-friendly environment, including resolving the gas crisis, streamlining customs and NBR procedures and enhancing infrastructure, logistics and access to affordable financing, the BGMEA President asked the Government to postpone the transition for at least three years after LDC graduation.
Additionally present were the Presidents of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
