The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has announced plans to establish zone-based workers' welfare centres in major industrial hubs, including Gazipur, Ashulia, Mirpur, and Narayanganj, to address non-payment of wages and other legal issues swiftly.
"The welfare of workers is BGMEA's highest priority, and the trade body stands in solidarity with every just and reasonable demand of the workers," BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan said on Thursday during a meeting with a high-level European Union (EU) delegation led by EU Ambassador to Dhaka Michael Miller at the BGMEA office in the capital's Uttara.
The meeting was attended by EU delegation Deputy Head Dr Bernd Spanier, Human Capital Development Programme Manager Lole Valentian Lucchese, and BGMEA Vice Presidents Inamul Haq Khan, Mijanur Rahman, Vidiya Amrit Khan, and Md Shihab Udduza Chowdhury, along with Directors Mohammad Abdur Rahim, Faisal Samad, Sheikh Hossain Muhammad Mustafiz, and Dr Rashid Ahamed Hossaini, among others. During the discussion, the EU delegation highlighted the need to amend the Bangladesh Labour Act to align with international standards.
The meeting also focused on a time-bound roadmap submitted by the Bangladesh government to the EU, described as a "strategic action plan" to improve the country's labour sector, and stressed the importance of its effective implementation.
Ambassador Miller noted that after Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status, the country will face free and open market competition.
He urged prioritising infrastructure development, improving efficiency at Chattogram Port, and enhancing capacity across various sectors.
He also emphasised the importance of increasing renewable energy usage.
On labour law reforms, he said that taking timely and correct measures could send a positive message to the international community, including the EU.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan requested the EU to relax the 37 per cent threshold requirement of the GSP+ scheme to help safeguard Bangladesh's exports to the European market. He said Bangladesh would continue to qualify for GSP+ benefits even after its scheduled LDC graduation in November 2026, helping maintain the country's competitive position in the EU.
"The duty-free benefits currently enjoyed by Bangladesh not only support local entrepreneurs but also allow EU buyers to source garments at affordable prices," he added, expressing hope that this advantage will be reflected in buyers' sourcing policies.
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