Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has said that Bangladesh will not be affected if the United States imposes sanctions against the country.
Responding to a query about the possibility of US sanctions, the foreign minister on Sunday said the government has not been informed of any such move.
Momen was speaking to reporters after a meeting with a delegation of Scottish parliamentarians at the foreign ministry in Dhaka.
When asked about recent comments by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken that countries violating labour rights may face US sanctions, Momen said, "It is their internal issue. They are the country of sanctions."
"They may impose sanctions. They are rich. We will determine our steps as per our reality."
"We cannot be like the USA overnight despite having the dream to be prosperous like them," he added.
Momen said that the United States took 250 years to reach its present stage of development. He commented that the USA once promoted slavery and pointed out that a civil war erupted in the country when Abraham Lincoln abolished slavery.
He also said that workers in the USA were heavily repressed during the period of their economic development. Momen argued that the conditions of workers in Bangladesh are much better during the country's present economic development.
He said that the per capita income in Bangladesh is only $2,800, compared to $65,000 in the USA. He said this means that the condition of workers in Bangladesh is far better than in the USA.
Momen also commented that all people in Bangladesh are treated equally irrespective of race and colour, but that discrimination was evident in the USA even in the recent past.
He said that women's voting rights were given in the US not long ago and that a black person did not dare to ride on a bus fearing harassment.
Momen said that garment workers in Bangladesh have been given huge facilities during the last three terms under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
He said their salaries have been increased by 56 per cent, they have been given medical facilities and a 6-month maternity leave has been ensured. The government has enacted laws that allow unions to be formed if 20 per cent of the employees of a factory agree. For large factories, the ratio is 15 per cent.
However, Momen noted that Bangladesh cannot afford to provide facilities to the workers like the European countries or the US overnight.
He also mentioned that if the Western countries who are vocal about the rights of the ready-made garment workers commit to buying Bangladesh's garment products at enhanced prices, that additional amount will be spent for the welfare of the workers.
"If you raise your buying price by one dollar, we will spend that dollar for the workers," he said.
Momen said diplomats should not cross the limit defined in the Vienna Convention.
He said the government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of diplomats in Bangladesh as per the Vienna Convention, but that they should also stick to the principles of the Convention.
Regarding ruling party grassroots leaders targeting US Envoy Peter Haas in recent political rallies and issuing death threats, the minister said many nuisance speeches have been made at political rallies, but that such threats are illegal and that the government is collecting evidence about them.
He assured that necessary steps will be taken after a proper investigation into the matter.
mirmostafiz@yahoo.com