US criticised for suspending GSP privilege

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Washington has criticised the US for suspending the GSP privilege, saying it did not help the clothing industry recover from the shocks of Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashions fire.
Speaking at an international forum in Washington Friday, Akramul Qader, said the retailers have come up with “innovative ideas” for a “long-term improvement” in factory conditions and labour rights, according to a news agency.
He also flayed the US Congress for 'consistently’ advocating for improved labour conditions in Bangladesh without offering any tariff concessions to the garment sector.
The US has suspended its GSP privilege that some of Bangladesh’s products were enjoying in its market in July last year after Rana Plaza in Savar collapsed in April, killing more than 1,100 people, mostly garment workers.
Bangladesh’s main export item readymade clothes never enjoyed the facility, but the GSP revocation sent a negative signal worldwide.
The ambassador, speaking at the “Rumi Forum”, however, said the decision had “put the workers in jeopardy”.
The Rumi Forum in Washington organises intercultural dialogue, and stimulates thinking for fostering democracy and peace.
Alyssa Ayres, Senior Fellow for India, Pakistan, and South Asia at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) and former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Bureau, moderated the discussion.
Ambassador Qader spoke on Bangladesh’s socio-economic development, labour safety, labour rights, Jan 5 elections, ongoing war crimes trial and Bangladesh-US trade and economic relations and later replied questions.