The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has once again requested an increase in the prices of garment items. This request comes as the Government aims to implement a minimum wage for four million garment workers starting in December of this year.

BGMEA President Faruque Hassan conveyed this message in a letter, stating, “Firstly, we need our buyers to comprehend and embrace the wage dynamics within our specific contexts and priorities. We seek their support in making reasonable price adjustments.”

Additionally, letters were sent to buyers who operate through liaison offices in Bangladesh, as well as Action, Collaboration, and Transformation (ACT), and the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), requesting a reconsideration of prices for orders to be processed beginning December.

Hassan emphasised the importance of taking a long-term perspective, recognising that the rising costs and wages are inevitable. He stressed that, regardless of efficiency, it may become challenging to compete in certain product categories if costs continue to rise.

He encouraged local garment suppliers to explore new opportunities and underscored the necessity for ongoing innovation and diversification into items that align with the sector’s cost and competitive trajectory. Furthermore, he emphasized the critical need for investments in machinery, technology, and skills.

Hassan stated, “We must find ways to optimize costs, balance investments in technology with resource utilization, and minimize waste.”

The BGMEA also called upon the Government to implement appropriate measures to control inflation and to extend a special safety net programme, including food rationing, to its workers.