The apparel apex body BGMEA has urged the European Union (EU) to continue with its unwavering support in the furtherance of the ready-made garment industry.
The EU has been requested to shift its focus on sustainability and improve the socio-economic conditions of garment workers.
The BGMEA also called for the EU to consider an extension of the GSP transitional period to six years from three years for smoother LDC graduation.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan made the call during a meeting with the visiting EU monitoring mission on Tuesday.
The EU team, led by Paola Pampaloni, managing director (acting) for Asia-Pacific Department at the European External Action Service (EEAS), sat at the BGMEA headquarters, according to a statement.
The delegation, comprising key representatives from EEAS, the directorate general for trade, and the directorate general for employment, social affairs and inclusion, discussed critical issues related to the garment industry.
Meeting sources said the delegation wanted to know the progress in line with the National Action Plan on the labour sector of the country.
They discussed the six-point recommendation that included child labour, labour law reform and other worker rights issues, they added.
The EU mission arrived in Dhaka on November 12 on a five-day visit to assess the compliance of Bangladesh with its commitments under the "Everything but Arms" (EBA) trade arrangement.
The EBA arrangement offers duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market to the least-developed countries that respect the core conventions on human and labour rights.
Bangladesh is the largest beneficiary of the EBA with exports to the EU market reaching 24 billion euro in 2022.
According to the BGMEA statement, Mr Hassan provided an overview of the present situation, emphasising progress in workplace safety, green growth, worker rights and recent labour law reforms.
Citing the government's commitment to enhancing worker rights through legislative amendments, Mr Hassan also drew attention to the recent 'significant increase' in the minimum wage for garment workers in Bangladesh.
The new minimum monthly gross wage for seventh-grade workers is set at Tk 12,500, equivalent to $113.63, reflecting a 56.25-per cent increase, with the basic wage rising 63.41 per cent, reads the statement.
The hike in minimum wage despite global economic challenges, the BGMEA chief stated, was a manifestation of the industry's resolve to ensure improved living standards for workers.
Emphasising the industry's commitment to a decent living for workers, Mr Hassan called upon brands and buyers to actively support the implementation of the new minimum wage.
He acknowledged the significant role the EU has played in the success of Bangladesh's garment industry, especially through the EBA scheme.
Mr Hassan also called for continued EU support in reaping the benefits of GSP Plus after the country's LDC graduation.
He expressed optimism that the EU's support would continue in the future, underscoring its vital contribution to the economic prosperity of the sector.
munni_fe@yahoo.com