Meeting with ILO: BGMEA stresses fair minimum prices, unified code of conduct
UNB
Publish: 21 May 2024, 12:23 AM
Dhaka,
May 20 (UNB) - BGMEA President S. M. Mannan (Kochi) on Monday urged the
International Labour Organization (ILO) to take an initiative to establish such
a code, stressing its significance for the benefit of all stakeholders
including buyers, manufacturers, and workers worldwide.
He also emphasised on
the importance of fair minimum prices for apparel, stating that without such
pricing mechanisms, the industry would not be sustainable in the long run.
The BGMEA President
urged the ILO to press this cause in global forums and in discussions with
buyers, focusing its importance for the labour-intensive garment sector.
A delegation of the
International Labour Organization (ILO) led by Country Director for Bangladesh
Tuomo Poutiainen had a meeting with the President of the Bangladesh Garment
Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on May 20.
The ILO delegation,
comprising Mohamad Anis Agung Nugroho, Programme Manager of Better Work
Bangladesh project; Linnea Strand, Programme and Operations Officer; and Md.
Saidul Islam, Senior Programme Officer, engaged in discussions with BGMEA
leaders regarding the progress of the ongoing ILO-led initiatives, especially
Better Work Bangladesh aimed at enhancing working conditions and ensuring
occupational safety for ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Bangladesh.
The meeting, held at
BGMEA Complex, also discussed potential collaborations between the ILO and
BGMEA to further develop the industry, with a specific focus on capacity
building to align with evolving regulations such as the Due Diligence Directive
and to enhance workers' well-being.
The attendees from BGMEA
were Vice President Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Vice President (Finance) Md. Nasir
Uddin, Vice President Miran Ali, Vice President Abdullah Hil Rakib, and
Directors Md. Imranur Rahman, Shovon Islam, Haroon Ar Rashid, Md. Mohiuddin
Rubel, Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishee, Saifuddin Siddiquie Sagar, Md. Rezaul
Alam (Miru) and Chair of BGMEA Standing Committee on Labour and ILO Affairs ANM
Saifuddin.
One of the pivotal
topics addressed during the meeting was the necessity for a unified code of
conduct for social and technical audits, universally accepted across the
industry, according to BGMEA.
END/UNB/MK/FH
