Tofail urges global buyers to increase RMG prices as per workers\\\' wage hike

FE Report | Published: February 04, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2025 06:01:00

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed Monday urged the global buyers and retailers to increase the prices of Bangladesh-made readymade garment (RMG) products in line with the recently enhanced wages for the garment workers to sustain the sector.
"The wage for garment workers has been increased by 77 per cent. If the buyers do not raise the apparel prices, it would be difficult for the sector to survive," he told newsmen after a view exchange meeting with the brands and retailers at a city hotel.
Organized by the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the meeting titled "Strengthening Business Environment in the RMG Sector of Bangladesh" was attended by over 40 buyers' representatives.
Secretaries of commerce, labour and foreign ministries Mahbub Ahmed, Mikail Shipar and Shahidul Haque respectively and the representatives of Accord, Alliance and ILO were also present in the meeting.
"Bangladesh is back to business," the minister said assuring the buyers' representatives that the problems like continuous strikes and political turmoil would not take place.
Apparel makers earlier voiced their concern over the inspection process, its remediation and the fund needed for it.
BGMEA President Atiqul Islam requested the Accord and Alliance to take realistic and pragmatic measures regarding the inspection of garment factories as many garment units are located at shared and rented buildings.
"I don't know what would happen after the inspection but doubt whether the sector will survive if they inspect the factories as they are planning," he said.
He also requested the buyers not to make public any report of inspection before remediation takes place and refrain from withdrawing orders from these factories.
Srinivas Reddy, Country Director of International Labour Organisation (ILO) said that the concerns of the apparel makers regarding the standards and inspection process should be taken into consideration as they are valid ones.
"I am not saying to compromise in terms of safety and workers rights issues but the steps should be pragmatic," he said.
He also called for speedy disbursement of the compensation money for the victims of Rana Plaza collapse.
The spirit of the Accord and Alliance initiatives is very much positive as these are long term projects aiming at developing the RMG sector with check and balance not for creating panic, Roger Hubert, country director of H & M said.
These initiatives are going forwards, he said stressing on actions rather talking.
BGMEA vice president Md Shahidullah Azim said the buyers are here to do business and they assured us of raising the price hike issue to their headquarters.