The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has sought the active cooperation of non-IBC labor federations to maintain law and order and ensure a stable labor environment across the country’s vital garment sector. The appeal was made during a two-day series of meetings held at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara on July 5 and 7, 2025. These discussions brought together key representatives from the BGMEA and leaders of numerous non-IBC labor federations.
The July 7 session was presided over by BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and attended by Vice President Md. Rezwan Selim, Director Asef Kamal Pasha, and Member Mozammel Haque Bhuiyan.
The July 5 session included Vice President (Finance) Mizanur Rahman, Co-Vice President Shehab Udduza Chowdhury, and Director Samiha Azim.
In the meetings, BGMEA leadership urged the labor federations to help prevent unrest caused by unjustified demands or minor disputes that could result in factory vandalism or road blockades, thereby disrupting public life and industrial operations. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan emphasized that workers’ welfare remains a top priority for the association. He announced several new initiatives, including:
Establishment of zone-based workers’ welfare centers in Gazipur, Ashulia, Mirpur, and Narayanganj to address wage-related and legal issues at the local level.
Plans to build hospitals for workers in key garment-producing regions, contingent upon land allocation from the government.
Introduction of a food rationing program aimed at easing the cost of living for workers.
Expansion of BGMEA’s Labor Arbitration Cell activities to facilitate conflict resolution.
The labor federations welcomed these proposals and pledged their cooperation. Both parties agreed on the importance of resolving disputes amicably and providing reasonable timeframes for resolution in cases of disagreement on wages or other issues.
Among the many labor leaders in attendance were Shah Md. Abu Zafar (President, Bangladesh Textile and Garments Federation), Kamrul Ahsan (President, Bangladesh Garments Workers’ Federation), Lutfon Nahar Lata (General Secretary, Bangladesh Nationalist Garments Workers’ Party), Md. Shah Alam, President, Garments Workers’ Solidarity Federation; Md. Shamim Khan, President, Bangladesh Trinamool Garments Workers Federation; Md. Mahtab Uddin Shahid, President, National Garments Workers Alliance Bangladesh; Md. Kafil Uddin, President, Ekta Garments Workers Federation; and over 50 other representatives from federations across the country.
The meetings concluded with a joint commitment from both BGMEA and labor leaders to foster mutual understanding, prevent conflict, and work collectively to ensure the continued growth and global competitiveness of Bangladesh’s RMG sector.
