Bangladeshi businesspeople in Thailand believe that the interim government, led by Dr Muhammad Yunus, can explore new avenues for trade and cooperation, unlocking the potential for manpower exports to the Southeast Asian nation through intensified diplomatic efforts. Despite being one of the world's largest exporters of textiles and garments, they said Bangladesh currently exports only about $60 million worth of ready-made apparels annually to Thailand, a country with a clothing demand exceeding $40 billion each year. Countries such as China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia export significant quantities of garments to Thailand, supported by Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). In contrast, Bangladesh has yet to secure a similar deal that would enhance its RMG product exports to Thailand. Talking to UNB, Bangladeshi businesspeople also noted that Thailand attracts over 30 million visitors each year and has a substantial labour market for foreign low-skilled workers in sectors such as tourism, agriculture and fish processing.  However, Bangladesh has so far been unable to access this market in its next-door neighbour due to lack of agreements and genuine efforts. They also said the diplomatic relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand has existed for 52 years, with a flight time of nearly two hours between the two countries. Yet, only around 4,000 Bangladeshis currently reside in Thailand, most of whom are engaged in business, as access to the growing labour market remains limited. Bangladesh has consistently experienced a large trade deficit with Thailand, which exported over $1.18 billion worth of products to Bangladesh in 2023. Conversely, Bangladesh's exports to Thailand amounted to only $90 million As Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus is set to visit Thailand for the Bimstec (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit in November, the businesspeople said he can focus on signing the FTA and some other agreements to create scope for exporting manpower in the wealthy country of the Southeast Asia. “Although Thailand is geographically close to Bangladesh, we have been unable to tap into its thriving business, commerce, and labour market due to a lack of proper diplomatic efforts,” said Kamrul Hasan Rimu, a Bangladeshi engaged in the import and export business in Thailand. Dr Yunus praises Russian cooperation in power, energy sectors Rimu, who has been living in Thailand for nearly 40 years since completing his studies at Dhaka University in 1985, said Bangladeshis mostly come to Thailand for personal visits and medical tourism while a very small portion is doing business in the country. He said five documents—including a Letter of Intent to commence negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as well as Memoranda of Understanding on Energy Cooperation and Tourism Cooperation--between Bangladesh and Thailand were signed during former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit on April 26 this year to enhance cooperation between the two nations. Rimu urged the interim government to prioritise signing the FTAs by intensifying diplomatic efforts, especially given that China and India secured FTAs with ASEAN countries long ago, opening significant opportunities for exporting goods to Thailand with lower tariffs. “When we import apparels from China and India, we face a 5 percent tax and a 7 percent VAT. But tariffs on Bangladeshi products are 32 percent (25 percent tax and 7 percent VAT), making it challenging to promote many Bangladeshi products in Thailand,” he explained. Rimu argued that the exports of Bangladeshi products, particularly apparels, could soar if the taxes are reduced from 25 percent to 5 percent through the FTAs. “There is a considerable demand for T-shirts in Thailand, mostly now imported from China, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Currently, we cannot import T-shirts directly from Bangladesh due to excessive taxes. So, some traders are importing Bangladeshi-made T-shirts via India, using its label,” he said. He said the prices of T-shirts in Bangladesh are lower than in any other country. “Therefore, Bangladesh has significant potential to capture the T-shirt market in Thailand if the taxes are reduced to 5%.” Rimu stressed that Bangladesh has an opportunity to tap into Thailand's labour market if an agreement can be reached. “There is scope for Bangladeshis to work in hotels, restaurants, bars, agriculture and fish processing, areas currently dominated by Burmese workers. The minimum wage for these low-skilled jobs exceeds Tk 50,000, which is significantly higher than in Malaysia and many other countries.” Abdul Quayum, another Bangladeshi businessman residing in Thailand for over three decades, echoed Rimu, noting that the Thai fish processing industry has a demand for foreign low-skilled workers. “With over 30 million visitors annually, foreign workers are involved in various services related to the tourism sector. Thus, Bangladesh should strive to enter the Thai labour market,” he said. He highlighted Thailand’s goal to increase foreign visitors to 40 million by 2025, which will likely create more job opportunities for foreign workers. “Bangladesh can capitalise on this by signing agreements with Thailand. Quayum stressed that the visa process for Bangladeshis must be simplified through mutual understanding and agreements, suggesting that the visa-on-arrival facility available in the 1980s could be reinstated. Mahbub Talukder, known as Don in Pattaya City, shared his experiences as a successful businessman running gift and tailor-made shops. He pointed out the vast opportunities for Bangladeshis in hotels, restaurants, gift shops and garment stores. “There are also numerous job opportunities in the tourism sector, but the government needs to secure agreements with Thailand to facilitate this,” he said. Mahbub underscored the importance of branding Bangladesh in Thailand. “Many Thais lack proper knowledge about Bangladesh and its products, often mistaking Bangladeshis for Indians. Effective branding is crucial to enhance bilateral cooperation, trade, and business.” He suggested that the government could leverage Thailand's experience to develop Bangladesh into another holiday destination for foreigners by improving tourist spots and ensuring necessary facilities. Read more: RMG workers’ protests disrupt traffic in Dhaka’s Mirpur

Law Minister Anisul Huq  on Friday announced the dismissal of Deputy Attorney General Imran Ahmed Bhuiyan from his post, but did not cite any reason. The minister confirmed this while replying to a question from journalists at Akhaura Railway Station in Brahmanbaria on Friday. Read : DAG Imran broke discipline by making statements before media: Law Minister DAG Imran was dismissed under section 4(1) of ‘The Bangladesh Law Officers Order, 1972,’ according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs. The order issued in the public interest will come into effect immediately, the notification read. The section 4(1) stipulates, ‘A law officer shall hold office during the pleasure of the President and his services may be terminated at any time by the president without any reason being assigned for his termination.’ Read : Muhammad Yunus: DAG refuses to sign anti-Yunus statement allegedly prepared by AG office On September 4, Deputy Attorney General Imran Ahmed Bhuiyan told reporters that he declined to sign a statement allegedly prepared by the Attorney General’s office in protest against the statement of world leaders in support of Nobel laureate Dr. Muhammad Yunus. Later on Tuesday, the law minister  said DAG Imran breached discipline by making a statement about the issue without prior permission from the Attorney General. Read : Son jailed for life for killing mother in Sylhet “He (DAG Imran) is employed by the Attorney General's Office. If he wants to speak to reporters, he should either resign and speak or obtain permission from the attorney general's permission. He didn't do any of them,” said the minister.

The High Court on Wednesday (May 31, 2023) asked Nobel Laureate Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus to pay over Tk 12 crore as donation tax to the National Board of Revenue (NBR). The HC bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar and Justice Sardar Md Rashed Jahangir passed the order after rejecting the petition of Dr Yunus challenging the notice of NBR. Barrister Mostafizur Rahman stood for Dr Yunus while Attorney General AM Amin Uddin represented the state. Read more: ACC sues Dr Yunus, 12 others in case over misappropriation of about Tk 25 cr On May 23, Dr Yunus filed a petition challenging the notice issued by NBR claiming tax Tk 15 crore on donation. The HC fixed May 31 for hearing the petition. According to the petition, NBR served three separate notices claiming Tk 12,28,74,000 as tax against Tk 61.57 crore as donation during 2011-2012 fiscal year, Tk 1.60 crore tax against Tk 8.15 crore as donation in 2012-2013 FY and Tk 1.50 crore as tax against Tk 7 crore as donation in 2013-2014 FY as per the Donation Tax-1990. Read more: Yunus, Clooney address German Postcode Lottery Charity Gala in Germany

The Anti-Corruption Commission on Tuesday filed a case against Nobel Laureate and Grameen Telecom chairman Dr Muhammad Yunus and 12 others for their alleged involvement in misappropriation of about Tk 25 crore from the company’s Workers Profit Participation ( WPPF). The commission’s deputy director Gulshan Anowar Pradhan filed the case with Dhaka district coordinated office -1, ACC director general Rezanur Rahman said.

Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (March 13, 2023) questioned as to why an advertisement needs to be published in a foreign newspaper with names of 40 people pleading in favour of Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr Muhammad Yunus. “I don’t know what to answer. But I have a question. Why should an advertisement be given begging names of 40 people for a person who is so famous and a Nobel Prize recipient? That again is in a foreign newspaper,” she said. The prime minister made the remarks while answering a question from UNB Editor Farid Hossain at a press conference on the outcome of her recent official visit to Qatar. She also said 40 people did not issue any statement for Dr Yunus, but it was an advertisement. “The names of 40 people were used there (in advertisement) in favour of our particular person.” Read more: Pressures on Sheikh Hasina won’t work: PM The prime minister said there are laws in the country and everything goes according to those laws, no matter who the person is. “Our judiciary is completely independent. We protect workers' rights. There is a separate body to oversee who pays taxes properly and collects taxes. We have a labour court to deal with if someone breaks any law regarding the matters or snatches the rights of the workers,” she said. As the head of the government, Sheikh Hasina said she has nothing to do regarding these matters. “What more can I say? But I just want to remind everyone that we have built the Padma Bridge,” she said.  Read More: Sufficient commodities in stock, refrain from panic buying during Ramadan: Govt

The High Court (HC) on Wednesday rejected a petition to scrap the case filed against Nobel Laureate and Chairman of Grameen Communications Dr Muhammad Yunus over violation of the Labour Law. The HC bench of Justice S M Kuddus Zaman and Justice Fahmida Quader passed the order after hearing. Now there is no legal bar to continue the case against him in the labour court, said Khurshid Alam Khan, counsel of the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Barrister Abdullah Al Mamun appeared for Prof Yunus’s appeal at the court. On June 13, the Appellate Division stayed the trial proceedings of the case for two months. The SC also ordered the HC bench led by Justice SM Kuddus Zaman to dispose of the rule seeking explanation as to why the case against Prof Yunus should not be cancelled. Read: Case against Prof Yunus: Final hearing on scrapping case on Aug 11 On June 7, the Appellate Division ordered disposal of the rule within two months. On September 9 last year, Labour Inspector Arifuzzaman of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, filed the case with Dhaka third labour court. Other accused in the case are- Ashraful Hasan, Managing Director of Grameen Telecom, its directors Nurzahan Begum and Shahjahan. According to the case, in an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff who were supposed to be permanent were not made so. No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five per cent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the law. Upon a complaint, a criminal case was filed under section 4, 7, 8, 117, 234 of the Labour Act. On October 12, the labour court granted bail to the all four accused. Later on December 7, Prof Yunus filed a petition with the High Court seeking scrapping of the case. On December 12, HC stayed the procedure of a case for six months. The court also issued a rule asking the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments why the case will not be set aside. The court asked secretaries of the Ministry of Law, Ministry of Labour and Employment and others involved to respond to the rule.

The workers’ union of Grameen Telecom, a company owned by Nobel Laureate Dr Muhammad Yunus , filed a petition to the High Court on Monday seeking its liquidation. Mahmud Hasan Feroz, secretary of the ‘Grameen Telecom union of workers and employees’ filed the petition on behalf of the members. HC bench of Justice Muhammad Khurshid Alam Sarkar set April 3 to pass an order in this regard during hearing the petition, said Advocate M Yusuf Ali, petitioner’s lawyer. Lawyer Yusuf said, according to labour law workers are supposed to get 5 per cent of the organisation’s profit and Grameen Telecom owes more than 2.5 billion to its workers now. But the company has not paid it and appointed a lobbyist to avoid it forcing the workers to seek liquidation of the company, he said. Also read: HC stays labour law violation case against Dr Yunus for 6 months The petition also appealed to the High Court to appoint a liquidator for the company, he added. A section of workers has long been agitating against lay-offs from Grameen Telecom. In a notice signed by the company’s Managing Director Mohammad Ashraful Hasan a total of 99 workers were laid off at once without any prior conversation with the workers and employee’s union. The High Court summoned Dr Yunus in this regard after 28 of the discharged workers filed a petition against that notice. On April 4, 2021, the court directed the company to reappoint those workers. On September 12, last year, Labour Inspector Arifuzzaman of the Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments filed a case with Dhaka third labour court against Dr Yunus and three others for violating labour laws. Also read: BFIU seeks Dr. Yunus’ bank account details Other accused in the case are Ashraful Hasan, Managing Director of Grameen Telecom, it's director Nurzahan Begum and Shahjahan. According to the case complaint, in an inspection visit to Grameen Telecom inspectors of the department found that 101 workers and staff who were supposed to be permanent were not made so. No participation fund and welfare fund was formed for them and five per cent of the company’s profit was not provided to the workers following the law. Upon the complaint a criminal case was filed under section 4,7,8, 117, 234 of the Labour Act. On October 12, the labour court granted bail to the all four accused. Later on December 7, Dr Yunus filed a petition with the High Court seeking dropping of the case.

The High Court on Tuesday exempted Nobel Laureate and Chairman of Grameen Communications Dr Muhammad Yunus and its vice chairman Ashraful Hasan from personal appearance before the court in connection with a contempt of court rule.

I vividly remember one of my most memorable trips I ever made. In the year 1955, I was part of the boy scout group who got the chance to travel to Europe and North America to the 10th World Jamboree of Boy Scouts held in Canada. I was fifteen years old. It was an unforgettable journey full of inspiration that left a lasting imprint on my mind. For instance, it was quite an experience crossing the Atlantic both ways in luxury liner ships, watching the emergence of countries in Europe from the devastation of the second world war, watching the world with eyes of a kid who grew up in the rural environment of a South Asian country. The journey was a phenomenal experience. It was a life-time learning opportunity for a fifteen year old.

The Appellate Division on Monday upheld a High Court order that stayed five cases against Nobel Laureate and Chairman of Grameen Communications Dr Muhammad Yunus for violating the labour law.