Repeated 'failure' in enacting enforcement rules on Bangladesh Labour Law and government-BGMEA joint repugnance for the activities of Accord seem to have strained the country's relations with the European Union.
Official sources said the displeasure of the EU was hinted at a recent meeting between officials of Bangladesh embassy in Brussels and office of the Directorate-General (DG) for Trade of the European Commission.
They said commercial counsellor at the Bangladesh mission Tapan Kanti Ghosh recently met the European trade officials to discuss attendance of EU trade commissioner Cecilia Malmström at a review meeting marking the second anniversary of Sustainable Compact sometime in October in Dhaka.
However, he was hinted that ensuring attendance of the trade commissioner would be 'almost impossible' unless the gazette of rules on implementation of Bangladesh Labour Law is published before July 8.
"It was indicated that the trade commissioner would like to see more progress before she arrives in Dhaka as she underscored in her 22 April statement in the European Parliament. Clearly it indicates that the ministry of labour and employment must publish the implementing rules in the official gazette after its vetting by law ministry where it is possibly lying now," Mr Ghosh informed Dhaka last week.
The economic diplomat in his communication described outcome of his meeting with the European trade officials.
"Unless it is done before 8 July--the second anniversary of adoption of the Sustainability Compact--ensuring the participation of Trade Commissioner would be almost impossible," he said.
Mr Ghosh also said the Commission has not taken lightly the recent BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) standing that Accord has been a hindrance to development of the apparel industry for its over-obtrusive role regarding factory conditions.
"In view of this, we must work prudently to demonstrate that all outstanding issues are addressed before the next review meeting," he added.
After the death of over 1,100 workers in Rana Plaza collapse the European Commission on July 8, 2013 launched a joint initiative for improving conditions for workers in Bangladeshi garment factories.
The Commission, the government of Bangladesh and the ILO (International Labour Organisation) have signed an agreement, namely, Sustainable Compact aimed at improving labour, health and safety conditions for workers as well as encouraging responsible behaviour by businesses in the export industry.
A review of the progress made by Bangladesh in the fields of labour, health and safety standards, marking the first anniversary of the Compact, was held in Brussels on October 20 last year with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed attending to describe the achievements and failures.
The Bangladesh Labour Law saw latest amendment in July 2013. After that the government promised to formulate the implementation rules by March 2014 and again sought time extension until July of the same year and then December 2014.
However, the government authorities failed to keep the pledge and had yet to publish a gazette notification of the rules.
When contacted, joint secretary of the ministry of labour and employment Faizur Rahman told the FE the rules were prepared some two months back and were now lying with the law ministry for vetting.
After getting vetted, the rules will be placed before the cabinet for approval and the gazette will then be published. He, however, could not give a timeframe when it can be done.
Commerce secretary Hedayetullah Al Mamoon told the FE that preparing rules of the law is complicated and a challenging task. Many countries had to spend year after year to enact the rules because consensus of factory owners, labour bodies, and the government is needed.
He said the rules are already prepared and awaiting law ministry's vetting.
The BGMEA and other trade organisations have alleged that the Accord and Alliance-- two bodies of buyers from America and Europe--were twisting their arm for implementing various reforms deemed 'unnecessary' and expensive.
Recently they also raised the issue at a meeting with Finance Minister AMA Muhith and sought his intervention to get rid of Accord and Alliance's 'dominance'.
The minister in the meeting termed the activities of Accord and Alliance as a 'noose' around the neck of apparel industry.
However, the comment of the minister has received strong protests from the duo--Accord and Alliance-who even sought a clarification on the government-industry position on activities of the two western coalitions.
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