A meeting was held between the general members and the leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on August 8, 2024 to discuss the security of BGMEA and the overall situation of the garment industry.
The meeting, held at the BGMEA office in Uttara, Dhaka, was presided over by Acting President of BGMEA Khandoker Rafiqul Islam.
In the meeting, tributes were paid to the students, common people, and administrative staff who lost their lives or were injured in the recent anti-discrimination student movement. They expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.
The general members strongly condemned the recent unintended incident at the BGMEA head office in Uttara on August 7, 2024. They emphasized that despite differing opinions, demands for reforms beyond established norms are unacceptable. Concerns were raised about the security of BGMEA, noting that repeated incidents could negatively impact foreign buyer perceptions of the industry and BGMEA.
The meeting also discussed the industry’s current challenges, including the liquidity crisis in banks and its impact on timely wage payments to workers. They also discussed how to continue factory operations safely amidst potential risks of vandalism. Additionally, the situation at Chittagong port and the safety of industrial goods vehicles on the Dhaka-Chittagong highway were discussed.
The meeting was attended by First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, Vice Presidents Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Md. Nasir Uddin, Abdullah Hill Rakib, and directors and entrepreneurs.
