Desk report: Leaders of labour rights organizations and BGMEA expressed their firm willingness to work in unity to address the challenges of the RMG industry and take it to a new height of glory. They would also work in a spirit of cooperation and collaboration to maintain harmonious industrial relations for the greater interests of the RMG sector. They made remarks during a meeting held at BGMEA office in Uttara on January 17.
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan presided over the meeting. In his speech Faruque Hassan said the RMG industry is not only the source of livelihoods for more than 4 million workers but also is a mainstay of Bangladesh’s economy. “The industry has been contributing to the socio-economic development of Bangladesh, thus becoming a national asset. So it’s the responsibility of all people to protect the interests of the RMG industry.” He further said garments with “Made in Bangladesh” have brought pride and glory for Bangladesh by making the country known to the world as a prestigious brand in the global market. “The accomplishment is the outcome of concerted efforts of workers and entrepreneurs.” The BGMEA President said Bangladesh is a glowing example of how workers and entrepreneurs with support stakeholders worked together to bring a paradigm shift in the areas of workplace safety and workers’ rights and well-being. Both workers and entrepreneurs would have to remain united to maintain the momentum, he added. He also said “While we have myriad challenges, we have opportunities too.
Entrepreneurs will l have to place increased focus on remodeling business, shifting to a value-added one through innovation, diversification, and technology upgradation to make the industry sustainable and cost competitive.” “Besides, we have to re-skill and up-skill garment workers and employees to cope up with changing trends in the global apparel industry, especially brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR),” Faruque Hassan added. BGMEA Vice Presidents Shahidullah Azim, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam and Md. Nasir Uddin, Directors Md. Khosru Chowdhury, Haroon Ar Rashid, Rajiv Chowdhury, Md. Imranur Rahman, Mijanur Rahman, and former Director ANM Saifuddin attended the meeting. President of Bangladesh National Garments Workers Employees League Sirajul Islam Rony; General Secretary of Bangladesh Sangjukto Garments Sramik Federation Bazlur Rahman Bablu; President of Jatiya Garments Sramik Kormochari Federation M. Delwar Hossain; General Secretary of Mukto Garment Sramik Federation Rani Khan; President of Textile Garments Sramik Federation Abul Hossain; President of National Garment Workers League Selim Reza; General Secretary of Garments Sramik Kormochari Federation
Arafat Jakaria (Sonchoy); President of Bangladesh Textile Garments Workers Federation Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Ismail; General Secretary of Garments Sramik Shanghati Federation Smrity Akhter (Sahida); General Secretary of Gonotantrik Sramik Kormochari Federation Abbas Uddin; President of Ekota Garments Sramik Federation Kafil Uddin; President of Bangladesh Garments and Shilpo Federation Rafiqul Islam Sujon; President, of Bangladesh Trust Garments SramikKormochari Federation HM Bellal; General Secretary of Bangladesh Poshak Sramik Trade Union Federation Akash Ahmed;
President of Green Bangla Garments Sramik Kormochari Federation Sultana Begum; President of Garments Sramik Kormochari League Ms. Lima Ferdous; President of Jago Bangladesh Garments Sramik Federation Md. Baharane Sultan Bahar; President of Bangladesh Trinomul Garments Sramik Kormochari Federation Shamim Khan; President of Motherland Garments Workers Federation Saleha Islam Shantona; President of Readymade Garments Workers Federation Lovely Yasmin; President of Garments Sramik Trade Union Kendro Mantu Gosh; General Secretary of Bangladesh National Labour Federation Ms. Moriom Aktar; and President of Jatiya Garments Dorji Sweater Sramik Federation Md. A. Rafiq were present at the meeting.
