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EU to host dialogue on BD apparels

FE REPORT | January 10, 2020 00:00:00


European Parliament in collaboration with the embassy of Bangladesh in Brussels has organised a dialogue on the apparel industry.

The dialogue on 'EU-Bangladesh Apparel Trade: Time for A Reality Check," will be held on February 05, according to a statement.

The event hosted by a member of the European Parliament Tomáš Zdechovský will be a multi-stakeholder dialogue having representation from workers, employers, academia, and international organisations to take stock of the actual situation in Bangladesh's apparel industry and chart a way forward for a meaningful EU-Bangladesh trading partnership.

The dialogue, to be held inside the European Parliament, is an attempt to sensitise the European policy makers about the developments that have taken place in Bangladesh apparel industry and the need for their support.

President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, or BGMEA, Dr Rubana Huq, has been invited by the organisers to speak at the event.

Director, Center for Business and Human Rights, Stern School of Business of New York University Professor Michael H. Posner, and Director of Better Work Programme of the ILO, Geneva Dan Rees have also been invited.

President and chief executive officer at Fair Labour Association, Grand Saconnex, Switzerland Auret Van Heerden will also speak at the event.

"During the event, we shall try to portrait the real picture of Bangladesh's apparel sector," Ms Huq told the FE on Thursday.

Bangladesh is moving ahead in terms of improved factory safety, better worker rights, many environment-friendly green factories, said the BGMEA chief.

Unfortunately, she said, there are misconceptions about Bangladesh's apparel sector in the West.

A vested quarter is playing with the poverty and simplicity of Bangladeshi workers to display distorted information about Bangladesh's apparel sector, she noted.

"We don't have any lobbyist to speak for us," Ms Huq argued .

In the first such event in Brussels, the member s of European Parliament and renowned personalities will talk on the Bangladesh apparel sector, she said.

It might help Bangladesh get recognition of its good work and a favourable trade package like GSP+ after graduating from the poorer countries' club.

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