BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatim on Monday said there is no opportunity for the United States to impose trade sanctions on Bangladesh regarding labour rights issues.

“The US cannot impose sanctions over the labour rights issue as it has already been settled. So, if the sanction comes, it would be for political reasons,” said the BKMEA official.

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He also urged the government to diplomatically prevent any economic sanctions.

He was speaking at a seminar on ‘Labour Rights and International Trade’ organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) at its auditorium in Paltan on Monday.

Mohammad Hatim said, “Owners and workers have nothing to do in this regard. It is the government's responsibility to deal with it.”

Dr. Mustafa Abid Khan, former member of the Bangladesh Tariff Commission, spoke at the seminar as the chief guest.

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Dr. Mustafa Abid Khan said the message from the United States regarding trade, which is available from various sources, is about trade penalties or fines.

“Tariffs can be as high as 10 percent in this sector. Sanctions will not be imposed immediately. If it comes, it will come gradually. However, it is not yet clear how America will do it,” he added.

The seminar was addressed by, among others, BKMEA Vice President Fazle Shamim Ehsan, ILO Standing Committee President ANM Saifuddin, Industry All Bangladesh Council (IBC) President Amirul Haque Amin and labour leader Tawhidur Rahman.

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Presided over by ERF President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha, the session was moderated by the organisation’s General Secretary Abul Kashem.