In tandem with latest such western moves comes a European Union report carrying concerns over labour-and human-rights situation in Bangladesh, with implicit reference to facilities in the country's largest export market.
The EU in its report, based on firsthand findings by a recent mission, has called for accelerating the implementation of the National Action Plan on labour sector of the country to secure duty-free market access in the bloc.
The European Commission's new report on the Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) covering the period 2020-2022, published on November 21, also says the EU will continue to closely monitor the NAP implementation.
Regarding key concerns related to labour rights, the report has referred to "legal obstacles to the right to establish and operate trade unions, anti-union discrimination, shortcomings related to labour inspection, gaps in implementing occupational health and safety, and persistence of child and forced labour".
And over human rights it cites "deficiencies regarding freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and association and civil-society space, as well as cases of alleged torture, ill-treatment, extra judicial killings and enforced disappearances".
Bangladesh developed The National Action Plan on the Labour Sector of Bangladesh (NAP 2021-2026) and published it in September 2021, following intense and productive technical discussions with the EU.
In 2022, Bangladesh ratified the ILO Convention 138, committing to the international community that no child below 14 years of age is allowed to work or be employed, the report reminds.
The GSP is EU's main trade-policy tool to support developing countries' exports to the bloc and such preferential access to the EU market is conditional on the respect of international standards on human rights, labour rights, environment and climate, and good governance.
Bangladesh is by far the most important EBA (Everything But Arms) beneficiary in terms of exports to the EU market, according to the report.
About 50 per cent of Bangladesh's total exports go to the EU with more than 90 per cent being ready-made garments, as of 2022.
In 2022, EU imported goods worth 22.7 billion euro from Bangladesh, up from 15.36 billion euro in 2019.
EU's preferential imports from the country increased by 47.5 per cent during 2019-2022 period, according to the exhaustive report on trade and rights front.
The report also says there has been sustained cooperation with the Bangladeshi authorities over the reporting period, and the Enhanced Engagement process allowed for constructive bilateral exchanges on labour rights.
"Limited progress has been recorded with respect to human rights concerns expressed by the EU," the EU notes in the report, suggesting further progress on human rights.
"Implementation of the NAP commitments on labour rights should speed up, with regular reports on progress achieved," the report reads, adding that the EU will continue to closely monitor the implementation of the NAP.
An EU monitoring mission was in Dhaka for a five-day visit last month (November) to assess the compliance of Bangladesh with its commitments under the EBA trade arrangement-incidentally in the wake of untoward incidents in the country's political and labour arenas close by the coming polls.
The monitoring mission also stressed fully implementing the NAP, in particular with regard to guaranteeing freedom of association, collective bargaining, and an inclusive and representative participation of labour unions through tripartite consultation.
The mission regretted that the recent amendments of the Bangladesh Labour Act only partially addressed the concerns of the EU and the ILO.
Asked about the EU report, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan said both they and the government are working step by step and are on track in implementing NAP.
The recent EU delegation also stressed acceleration of the NAP implementation, he said, adding that significant improvements have been made during last 10 years.
Citing labour law and rules amendments, he said each time amendments had been made towards workers' favour.
Trade-union registration threshold has been reduced to 15 per cent for factories having more than 3000 workers, which was previously 30 per cent.
"We can do more if we have better or fair price, as all have costs too. We don't see the voice for fair price or responsible purchasing practices or ethical business," the BGMEA leader says.
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