Be wary of local, foreign plots, Chunnu tells garment owners

State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu urged Tuesday apparel makers to stay alert of local and foreign conspiracies being hatched to ruin the country's crucial garment sector.
"Please stay alert. There are both local and international conspiracies to destroy the sector," he said, without elaborating.
Bangladesh is the world's second biggest exporter of garments only after China and apparel export is a critical pillar of the economy, making up as much as 80% of the country's annualised merchandise shipment and employing more than 4.0 million workers, mostly women.
The junior minister issued the warning at an orientation workshop for garment factory owners on 'Changing Gender Norms of Garment Employees (ChaNGE)' held in the city.
He also laid emphasis on deepening relations between workers and owners to make sure that there exists an improved and congenial work atmosphere in condition in 4,000 garment units dotting across the country.
"Factory owners should visit their units frequently and talk to the workers to foster deeper relations between owners and workers," he said.
The project titled ChaNGE was jointly initiated by Ministry of Labour and Employment, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the UNFPA to improve sustained gender-friendly environment in garment factories.  
The objectives of the project are to improve knowledge and awareness about sexual and reproductive health and rights, gender equality and positive attitude of managers and factory owners towards reducing vulnerability of women workers to accelerate gender equitable work environment at workplace.
Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar, UNFPA Representative in Bangladesh Argentina Matavel Piccin and BGMEA President M Atiqul Islam, among others, spoke on the occasion.
"To my knowledge, only 6.9 per cent factories in the USA have unions while the rest   don't have," Mr Chunnu said adding there is no logic behind talking about unionism in the country's garment sector.
"We are not against of unions, but it should be systematically," he added.
The State Minister said he wanted to see how unions work in US factories and conveyed his interest to the US Ambassador. "Unfortunately, he (US envoy) didn't tell me anything about it till now."
Regarding harassment in the garment sector, he said sexual harassment in the women-dominated garment industry has dropped significantly. "It's quite impossible in the RMG industry as most of the workers are female."
"Bangladesh is doing fine in apparel manufacturing and some vested quarter is envious of it," the BGMEA president said adding working conditions in the garment sector have also improved compared with the past.
BGMEA is committed to taking forward the industry ensuring workers' welfare, dignity and safety, he said, calling upon all partners to work together to help reach the $ 50 billion export landmark by 2021.
 Ms Argentina Piccin said Bangladesh has really shown progress in women empowerment. "It's the RMG sector that has contributed a lot towards empowering women."
She said apparel entrepreneurs should work together for the betterment of workers, especially female workers. "It's time to do the right thing at the right time," she said.  
munni_fe@yahoo.com