EU urges apparel makers to seek 'fair' prices from buyers

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FE Report European Union (EU) Ambassador to Bangladesh William Hanna has urged the country's readymade garment manufacturers to ask for 'fair' prices from the buyers rather than being branded as the cheapest. "I know buyers are interested to pay higher prices and get quality products…..but you should the process," he said replying to a question asked by former Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Anisul Huq. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) organised the seminar on Monday night, 'Reinventing the RMG Sector: Emphasising on Social Accountability and Security', ahead of the 24th Bangladesh Apparels and Textile Exposition 2013. Rubana Huq presented a key-note paper at the seminar on the topic. Chaired by BGMEA president Atiqul Islam, the seminar was also addressed by Awami League leader Tofail Ahmed and BNP standing committee member Dr Abdul Moyeen Khan, Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute Director (Programme &Research) Dr. Mostafa Abid Khan, Trade Union Leader Nazma Akhter, Directorate General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Directorate Ali Ahmed Khan, Md. Shahriar Alam MP and former BGMEA President Mostafa Golam Quddus. While delivering his speech, the EU head of delegation observed that the readymade garment (RMG) sector in the country will remain competitive in the global market even after the wage hike of workers. "Still, there's a scope to remain competitive and push up the wages," he told the seminar at a city hotel. William Hanna also called on the country's apparel manufacturers to increase the wages of workers annually, adjusting it with the inflation. He noted that it remains an obstacle to sustainable development of the RMG sector when no change is made in the wages for years keeping pace with the inflation. Mr Hanna added that the BGMEA should work out ways to negotiate with the retailers and global brands on the issues, including wages and safety of workers. He called on garment manufacturers to put 'peer pressure' on the weaker garments to comply with. The EU head of delegation said the preferential treatment should not be taken for granted; it was given to Bangladesh to be competitive and develop. Terming Rana Plaza collapse man-made catastrophe, he said the EU, buyers and consumers do not want to see such disaster anymore. Tofail Ahmed said, "We should not play politics with our industry which will doom us." He urged business people to come forward to resolve stalemate in politics. Abdul Moyeen Khan urged RMG manufacturers to go for high-end products to bag high profit which will ensure good compensation for all. Rubana Huq said Rana Plaza is a wake-up call for all of the RMG manufacturers. Trade Union Leader Nazma Akhter said, "We do not need a wake-up call, why we do not wake before a call?" She also urged buyers to not purchase RMG goods from sourcing companies as they do not feel any accountability to the workers' rights. Directorate General of Fire Service and Civil Defense Directorate Ali Ahmed Khan said his department needs more time for strengthening fire service.