The biennial election of the apex trade body will be held on April 4 for the term 2021-23.

“We are preparing to contest the election independently this year. Last year’s election was unfair as nomination papers were snatched. Even, we could not keep our representatives in the centre of the election,” Zahangir was addressing at a press conference in a city hotel.

He said, “We don’t want any quarrel as we are businesses not political party. We have organizing weakness here. However, we want a fair election from the election commission. We are apprehensive of another unfair election this year.”

Unveiling the six point election manifesto there, Zahangir added, “Victory or fail in election does not matter. We have to give a chance to enter the centre for a fair election.”

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Zahangir Alam said their garment sector is now in a vulnerable situation due to coronavirus pandemic and other unhealthy competition.

“Now buyers are exploiting us to offer low prices. We don’t get fair prices of our products. We are not exploiting workers in the modern technology era but the buyers do it,” he added.

He added that once around 7000 garment factories were in Dhaka and Chattogram area but the number reduced to 2000.

“We thank Prime Minister for providing Tk5000 crore stimulus packages during the disaster period of COVID-19. But now banks start to take interest of the loans from January that’s our concerning matter. Because many factories owners will be unable to pay salaries of their workers. So, we request the government to extend the time of interest free loan additional six months including moratorium of at least five years,” he added.

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Zahangir also said they will make unique security criteria for small and medium factories to flourish garment sector if they are elected in the election.

“We will update industrial friendly labour policy reforming obsolete articles and make Unified Code of Practice for every buyer. Besides, RMG wings will be opened in Bangladeshi missions abroad to extend new markets. There will be product branding and view exchange with buyers,” he added.

He also said the times of different licenses including trade, fire, bond and environment should be extended at least 3 years. “Factory owners have to cost huge money to take the license each year for renewal. Besides, they have to do graft with office’s employees to take the license,” he also added.

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Zahangir further added that there is need for the government’s policy support and strong leadership to flourish the garment sector.

However, Sammilita Parishad and Forum will contest the BGMEA elections as well.

According to the election schedule, the last date of nomination paper submission by candidates on February 25 while the last date of candidature withdrawal March 4.