Six US Congressmen express concern to PM

Six influential US congressmen in a letter to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina have expressed their deep concern over the rising harassments to labour activists in the country's apparel sector.
They have also sought the PM's personal initiative to conduct proper investigation and respond to the serious allegations of intimidation and violence, including those to leaders of National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF), which have been brought to the government's attention.
Signatories to the letter are congressmen George Miller, Eliot L Engel, Sander M Levin, Joseph Crowley, Grace Meng and Janice D Schakowsky.
The letter mentioned: "…as union registration have increased, we have also seen an increase in intimidation and harassment to labour activists. This is of serious concern to the United States Government, including the US Congress."
It also mentioned that they have already conveyed their concern over anti-labour violence to a Bangladesh delegation, headed by the commerce minister, during its recent visit to the US.
"Senior officials of your government, including yourself and the commerce minister, would intervene and make clear that this pattern of intimidation and violence would not be tolerated," the congressmen said.
The letter however expressed shock, finding the commerce minister and the BGMEA president, rather than calling for the authorities concerned to investigate intimidation to labour activists, engaged in the process themselves.
"Public statements by the government and industry officials are not only inappropriate, they send signals that are unhelpful to our common goals," they also said.
Terming the condition to ensure protection of unions and their members from anti-union discrimination and reprisal as a key element of the GSP action plan, the letter added that the workers' rights to organise will play an important role for the growth of the garment industry.
"We look to your government to crate an environment, where workers, factory owners, local police and the ministries will all come together to support the Bangladeshi workers' rights to freedom of association - free from discrimination and reprisal," it added.
Acknowledging the work that has been done by the government in line with the US action plan, the congressmen said: "…we note that there are a number of essential steps that must still be taken."
"We look forward to working with you to resolve issues that will ultimately allow the US to restore the GSP benefits and to further Bangladesh's economic development," they added.