USTR panel defers date for further clarification
Sunday, 21 October 2007
FE Report
The US Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington has deferred the date for further clarification and submission of documents to October 26 in support of Bangladesh's position in protection of labour rights, a commerce ministry official said.
Earlier, the panel of the USTR at a hearing against violation of labour rights in the country on October 4 asked all stakeholders of Bangladesh to submit clarification and documents in support of their statement on October 19.
The hearing took place after a US-based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) -- the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) -- filed a petition on June 22 to the USTR to drop Bangladesh from the list of eligible GSP beneficiary countries for alleged violation of labour rights in the country.
The commerce ministry is coordinating in preparation of clarification and documents as asked by the USTR, official source said.
He said Bangladesh mission in Washington will submit the documents and clarification to the panel of the USTR on the day on behalf of all stakeholders in collaboration with a lobby firm.
The AFL-CIO in its petition alleged: "Bangladesh … is not taking steps to afford internationally recognised worker rights, including 1) the right of association, 2) the right to organise and bargain collectively, 3) freedom from compulsory labour, 4) minimum age for the employment of children, and 5) acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, hours of work and occupational safety and health."
Sources said the hearing is the beginning of a yearlong review process that will examine oral and written submissions and testimonies by all parties as well as determine the actual progress on the ground with a view to coming to a conclusion on the petition by the AFL-CIO.
Under the generalised system of preferences (GSP) facilities Bangladesh has been enjoying duty-free export of its products to the US market since 1993, based on commitment to adhere to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.
The US market is the single largest export destination of Bangladesh that accounts for 36 per cent of its total exports.
Recently, Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association said the cancellation of Bangladesh' GSP facilities will affect the country's image abroad and affect export to EU countries.
The US Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington has deferred the date for further clarification and submission of documents to October 26 in support of Bangladesh's position in protection of labour rights, a commerce ministry official said.
Earlier, the panel of the USTR at a hearing against violation of labour rights in the country on October 4 asked all stakeholders of Bangladesh to submit clarification and documents in support of their statement on October 19.
The hearing took place after a US-based Non-Government Organisation (NGO) -- the American Federation of Labour and Congress of Industrial Organisations (AFL-CIO) -- filed a petition on June 22 to the USTR to drop Bangladesh from the list of eligible GSP beneficiary countries for alleged violation of labour rights in the country.
The commerce ministry is coordinating in preparation of clarification and documents as asked by the USTR, official source said.
He said Bangladesh mission in Washington will submit the documents and clarification to the panel of the USTR on the day on behalf of all stakeholders in collaboration with a lobby firm.
The AFL-CIO in its petition alleged: "Bangladesh … is not taking steps to afford internationally recognised worker rights, including 1) the right of association, 2) the right to organise and bargain collectively, 3) freedom from compulsory labour, 4) minimum age for the employment of children, and 5) acceptable conditions of work with respect to minimum wages, hours of work and occupational safety and health."
Sources said the hearing is the beginning of a yearlong review process that will examine oral and written submissions and testimonies by all parties as well as determine the actual progress on the ground with a view to coming to a conclusion on the petition by the AFL-CIO.
Under the generalised system of preferences (GSP) facilities Bangladesh has been enjoying duty-free export of its products to the US market since 1993, based on commitment to adhere to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) standards.
The US market is the single largest export destination of Bangladesh that accounts for 36 per cent of its total exports.
Recently, Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturer and Exporters Association said the cancellation of Bangladesh' GSP facilities will affect the country's image abroad and affect export to EU countries.