RMG
Tk 24,000 demanded as minimum wage for RMG workers
Garments Sramik Front on Friday staged demonstration in the city, demanding Tk 20,000 as national minimum wage and Tk 24,000 as lowest monthly wage for the garment workers following high cost of living due to price hike of essentials.
The labour rights body, in the programme arranged in front of the National Press Club, also demanded introduction of dearness allowance for the interim period and ration at subsidized prices for the workers.
Addressing the demonstration rally, the labour leaders said Garments Sramik Front and Garment Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad (G-SKOP) earlier in 2018 demanded Tk 18,000 as the minimum wage to keep consistency with the Pay Commission. But Tk 8,000 was announced as the minimum wage ignoring the demand at that time, they said.
The leaders said the prices of daily essentials have skyrocketed due to the recent fuel price-hike. Now the value of the wages of garment workers has fallen below half. The workers are struggling to survive due to malnutrition, they added.
Read: Tea garden owners propose wage hike by Tk 20 Workers now want PM's intervention
They also demanded stopping misuses of section 13 (1) of the labour law to end the oppression of workers as well as opening the ABC Knit Dyeing and Finishing Mills at Shyampur immediately to reinstate its workers in the job.
According to the section 13 (1) of Labour Act 2006, the owner can close any branch or section of a factory or other establishment partially or entirely due to illegal strike and the participant workers of the illegal strike would not get any wage in case of such shutdown of the branch or section.
President of Garments Sramik Front Ahsan Habib Bulbul presided over the rally, while its general secretary Selim Mahmud conducted it, said a press release.
BGMEA congratulates newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of Bangladesh Bank (BB) in continuing the growth momentum of the RMG industry by facing current challenges, especially the impacts of the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict on the global economy.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the request when he called on newly appointed Governor Abdur Rouf Talukder at the BB office in Dhaka on July 21.
BGMEA Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Asif Ashraf, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Neela Hsone Ara were also present at the meeting.
Read BGMEA, Kuhu to take Bangladeshi culture, heritage to global arena with garments
The BGMEA leaders congratulated him on his appointment as Governor of Bangladesh Bank, expressing hope that his extensive experience and expertise in handling financial sector would help him to steer the central bank prudently and efficiently that would contribute to strengthening economy of Bangladesh.
They had discussion the on present situation of the apparel, especially problems being faced by the RMG industry and possible measures to address them.
They also apprised the BB Governor about the renewed vision of BGMEA that aims to drive the growth of the RMG industry forward in a sustainable manner that will positively impact the economy, the environment and the lives of peoples.
Read BGMEA participates in Texworld to explore opportunities in US market
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said the support of Bangladesh Bank would be instrumental in realizing the vision which is aligned with the government vision of sustainable development.
He expressed thanks to the Bangladesh Bank for coming forward necessary with policy support for the garment industry at times when the sector needed them.
He hoped the central bank would continue its cooperation for the development of the apparel industry in the coming years.
Read BGMEA congratulates newly appointed Bangladesh Bank Governor
Canadian Trade Union delegation calls on BGMEA President
A Canadian Trade Union delegation paid a courtesy call on BGMEA President Faruque Hassan at the latter’s in Gulshan, Dhaka on July 21.
The delegation included Lily Chang, Secretary-Treasurer for the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC); Jocelyne Dubois, Director, International, Social and Economic Policy Department (CLC); Doug Olthuis, Department Leader, Global Affairs and Workplace Issues, United Steelworkers (USW); Michelle Ravary, USW Local Union; Caroline Lemay, USW Local Union; and Alexandra Lourenco, USW Local Union.
BGMEA Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Vice President Miran Ali, Directors Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Md. Imranur Rahman and Neela Hosna Ara were also present at the meeting.
They had discussions about issues, particularly about workplace safety, workers’ rights and well-being.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan appraised the delegation about the exemplary progress made by Bangladesh’s apparel industry in workplace safety and labour rights through collaboration of the global brands and retailers, manufacturers, government, ILO, development partners, and local and global unions.
He also briefed them about the remarkable progress in the RMG industry in recent years especially in improving trade union activities, skills development and labor welfare.
Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry is increasingly focusing on the skill development of workers to equip them with skills and knowledge required to cope up with changing trends in the global apparel industry, especially brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
BGMEA is collaborating with the government and development partners in carrying out different skill development programs.
The RMG industry is committed to continue its efforts for the betterment of garment workers, he added.
BGMEA wants faster, smoother security clearance services for RMG
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the support of the home ministry in getting quicker and smoother security clearance services, especially faster issuance of passports and work permits for the entrepreneurs, staff and foreign nationals working in the apparel sector.
The BGMEA also called for ensuring faster security clearance services and on-arrival visas for international buyers who wish to visit Bangladesh for business meetings.
Read: BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan made the calls during his meeting with Md Abdullah Al Masud Chowdhury, secretary at the Ministry of Home Affairs, at the secretariat in Dhaka Thursday.
When international buyers get easy and smooth services for coming to Bangladesh for business meetings, they have a positive impression of the country, Faruque said.
BGMEA Vice-President Md Nasir Uddin and BGMEA Secretary General Md Faizur Rahman were also present at the meeting.
BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Deshifarmer have signed a memorandum of understating (MoU) to provide apparel workers with fresh produce at fair prices.
As per the deal, Deshifarmer, a tech-based supply chain for fresh produce, will deliver farmers' fresh produce to canteens, grocery shops and the workers of registered member factories of the BGMEA.
Read: BGMEA seeks govt support in implementing RMG industry's sustainable dev vision
The objective is to ensure that garment workers get the best food at the best price while farmers also get a fair price for their produce.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Deshifarmer Chairman Sumaiyah Mousinin inked the agreement, a media statement said Thursday.
Read BGMEA participates in Texworld to explore opportunities in US market
BGMEA, VUMI join hands to provide market-oriented skills to RMG executives
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and VUMI Bangladesh, an employment-oriented virtual education platform, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve the skill level of the executives in various areas of the RMG sector through learning.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan and Director of VUMI Bangladesh Naimul Hassan inked the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.
Khaled Mahmud, Associate Professor, IBA, University of Dhaka, Miran Ali. Vice President, BGMEA, Asif Ashraf, Director, BGMEA and Md. Khaled Shahriar, Head of Operations, VUMI were also present at the MoU signing ceremony held in the city recently.
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As per the MoU, VUMI will offer customized training programs to BGMEA member factories for improving the capacity of their employees through professional skill development.
The training program will raise the skill levels of the workforce in professional communication, negotiation, presentation, grooming and many other areas.
Renowned academia including professors from IBA, Dhaka University and visionary business leaders of the country will conduct training program which will equip learners with in-demand job market skills.
Read PM urges the youth to acquire skills to become entrepreneurs
BGMEA briefs European Parliament's trade delegation about RMG industry
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan has briefed the visiting European Parliament's delegation members about the current situation of Bangladesh’s RMG industry, including its strides in the areas of workplace safety, environmental sustainability and workers’ rights and welfare.
He also apprised them about the sustainable strategic vision of BGMEA unveiled recently with an aim to accelerate the growth of the RMG industry in a manner that is sustainable and positively impacts the economy, the environment and the lives of peoples.
Faruque Hassan apprised them that the apparel industry is aligned with the government in implementing the road map developed by the government in collaboration with ILO to further improve in labor rights and welfare issues.
Also read: BGMEA unveils new vision
He said Bangladesh and the European Union have long been sharing friendly relationship which has grown stronger over times.
Expressing thanks to the European Union for its support for the betterment of Bangladesh's apparel industry, Faruque Hassan hoped the EU will continue providing its support and cooperation to Bangladesh in the coming days, especially in the post-LDC era.
The delegation of European Parliament's Committee on International Trade (INTA) headed by Heidi Hautala, Chair, INTA delegation to Bangladesh, met with leaders of BGMEA in the city on Monday.
The delegation included Members of the European Parliament -- Jose Manuel GARCIA-MARGALLO, Sven SIMON, Agnes JONGERIUS, Jordi CANAS PEREZ, and Maximilian KRAH.
Martti KALAUS, Head of Unit, INTA Committee and Gabriel ALVAREZ RECARTE, Administrator, INTA Committee were also in the delegation.
Also read: Envoy urges BGMEA to consider setting up joint ventures in Egypt
Charles Whiteley, Ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh was also present at the meeting.
BGMEA Vice President Miran Ali, Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Haroon Ar Rashid, Barrister Vidiya Amrit Khan, Executive President of BKMEA Mohammad Hatem, Vice President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Vice President Md. Akhter Hossain Apurbo and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO issue ANM Saifuddin were also present at the meeting.
Remain cautious about US to protect Bangladesh's RMG: Chinese envoy
Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Li Jiming has urged the people of Bangladesh to remain cautious saying the US interference may harm Bangladesh's apparel industry.
In the video message "A Minute With Ambassador," Ambassador Li said he had noticed that a certain readymade garments (RMG) industry association in Bangladesh recently alerted its members to the risks associated with cotton from China due to the US allegation of "forced labour in Xinjiang."
He said Washington uses this lie about Xinjiang to smear and defame China, with the ultimate goal of containing the country.
"The reason why I brought it up here today is that if Bangladeshi people are not cautious enough, this lie may hurt the country's RMG industry as well," said Ambassador Li.
The envoy said he also noticed that the alert was issued following a meeting between the association and two representatives from "Indo-Pacific Opportunity Project" affiliated with some US agency.
The so-called "forced labour in Xinjiang" is a complete lie, the envoy said.
"It is now circulating on the internet that two US diplomats previously posted in Guangzhou reportedly confessed in 2021," Ambassador Li said.
He quoted the diplomats as saying: "Nothing is wrong about Xinjiang, but to attack their human rights policies is an effective means to make Xinjiang break away from the international industrial chain, and to make Uyghurs unhappy, turbulent and then fight against the Chinese government."
This disclosure echoes a statement made by a former high-rank US official in 2018, the ambassador said.
Workers' well-being: BGMEA encourages dialogue
President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Faruque Hassan has highlighted the apparel industry’s committed efforts in the area of workers’ rights, well-being and freedom of association.
“We believe in dialogue and discussion, and the ILO-SDIR project has significantly contributed to creating a congenial environment for dialogues,” he said.
Director of Training, ITCILO Andreas Klemmer met Faruque Hassan at his office on Saturday and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
Read: Bangladesh to stay safe, sustainable apparel sourcing destination: BGMEA
The International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) is the training arm of the ILO.
The BGMEA President thanked the ITC-ILO for their continuous support to Bangladesh’s RMG industry over the last few years, which has helped the industry to develop a harmonious industrial relation.
Neeran Ramjuthan, Programme Manager, Labour Administration and Working Conditions Cluster, ILO Bangladesh, and S M Borhan Uddin, Programme Officer, Governance, Social Dialogue and Industrial Relations (SDIR) Project ILO Country Office for Bangladesh were also present on the occasion.
Read BGMEA, Deshifarmer to offer fresh food to RMG workers at fair prices
Miran Ali, Vice President of BGMEA, and ANM Saifuddin, Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on ILO also attended the meeting.
They discussed various issues including the role of IRI (Industrial Relations Institute) as per BLA (Bangladesh Labour Law) and BLR (Bangladesh Labour Rules), in support of the capacity building of employers and workers’ representatives on issues related to industrial relations, the existing training package offered by IRI and its effectiveness, BGMEA said on Sunday.
ANM Saifuddin, Labour Affairs and ILO, briefed them about the effectiveness of the IRI and praised the initiative, also recommended making it more functional through tripartite collaboration between employers, workers, and government organizations.
Read BGMEA wants faster, smoother security clearance services for RMG
RMG workers stage demo for third consecutive day demanding pay rise
Workers from various ready-made garment (RMG) factories have blocked the roads in Dhaka’s Mirpur and Uttara area for the third consecutive day.
Agitated workers from Juki, Loadstar, Sarosh, Vision Garment, Palka, MBM Garment blocked roads in Mirpur-13, 14 Police Staff College, Mirpur-2 and 10 and Kachukhet areas on Monday morning demanding pay rise amid the sudden price hike of daily essentials.
Police baton-charged the crowd and fired tear shells to disperse the protesters.
Vehicular movement in these areas has been interrupted due to the demonstrations, creating traffic congestion that caused immense suffering to commuters.
Also read: RMG workers stage demo in city demanding wage hike
Workers claimed that their salary is not sufficient to run their families in recent times as the prices of daily necessities have gone up.
One of the protesters from Lodestar Garments said “The salary we are getting is not enough for our daily meals so we are compelled to take to the streets.”
Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Mirpur Division ASM Mahatab Uddin said that there is no blockade on any road.
In addition, workers of several garments, including Intraco Design, Intraco Fashion Limited, at Uttara have blocked the streets demanding the same.
During the protest, they targeted some buses and threw bricks. Police later fired tear gas to disperse them.
Earlier on Saturday, the protesters burnt three police motorcycles and vandalized a vehicle of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) parked in front of Shaheed Suhrawardy Indoor Stadium at Mirpur-10.
Also read: RMG workers stage demonstrations for arrears in Gazipur
After that, police held some eight to ten of the protesters over the incident.