Khaleda worried over RMG unrest

BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia smells provocation of competitor foreign countries behind the persistent unrest in the readymade garment sector (RMG).

"Instigation by competitor foreign countries and external hands in the attempt to create anarchy in this sector would not be far-fetched," she said yesterday while addressing the closing ceremony of Bangladesh Apparel & Textile Exposition 2009 (Batexpo), organised by Bangladesh Garments Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in Sonargaon hotel of the capital.

She urged the government to ensure law and order in the sector. "It is the responsibility of the government to take necessary measures for improving law and order, and to ensure the right environment for facilitating growth of the readymade garment sector, and its competitiveness in the global market."

Expressing grave concerns over the unrest that has been flaring up in the sector, she urged BGMEA leaders to pay the workers the standard minimum wages in every factory, and to pay the salaries in the first week of every month.

Expressing her support for BGMEA's demand that the government allocates money for the sector in its stimulus package for industries affected by the global economic recession, Khaleda who is also the leader of the opposition in parliament said the RMG sector is the worst sufferer of the recent drop in export revenues.

"Many countries of the world gave stimulus packages to different sectors to help them face the economic recession. Financial assistance was given to overcome the crises and many sectors overcame those with the assistance," she said.

She, however, did not make any comment regarding BGMEA leaders' request for her to discuss the issue of the RMG sector in the parliament, as they expressed their desire to see that the parliament has become the centre of the country's governance.

BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy who was presiding over the ceremony said in his speech that consensus between the government and the opposition is a must for creating and maintaining an atmosphere conducive to growth of trade and investment.

"All activities related to the country's governance should start in the parliament which should be the centre of governance," he said requesting the opposition leader to discuss BGMEA's proposals in the parliament.

Saying that the export oriented industry is suffering from an image crisis, Murshedy urged the BNP chief to help the sector revive its global goodwill, by presenting to the world while participating in international forums, the steps BGMEA took to move the sector forward.

BNP Secretary General Khandaker Delwar Hossain, former ministers M Shamsul Islam and Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, BNP lawmaker Barkat Ullah Bulu, and BGMEA Vice-president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin also addressed the ceremony.

Khaleda, a former premier of the country, urged the government to reduce fees at Chittagong Port, cut down bank charges and interest rates, resolve gas and power supply crises, and to facilitate setting up of living quarters for RMG workers.

She also urged the government to lobby hard for getting quota free access to the US market, play a strong role in World Trade Organisation, and to make Bangladesh missions abroad more proactive in looking after the interest of the RMG sector.

She also demanded formation of an industrial police and an intelligence unit for the sector, saying there is no scope for delay on the matter, and urged the government to come forward with a policy support for the sector.

Khaleda Zia alleged that industries and trade in the country are facing danger due to deterioration of law and order, and extortion and tender manipulation by ruling party activists. She said the situation is worsening due to internal conflicts among ruling party people over the business of 'jhut', which are left over fabrics of garment industries.

"We have to keep the prices of our products competitive to survive in the global open market. For that the first imperative is lowering of production cost, and ensuring a sound environment for production and investment," she said.

The BNP chairperson also advised owners of garment factories to be alert, so no resentment could form among workers. "Factories will run well, if the workers feel good. I am sincerely urging you to take more steps for the welfare of workers," she told RMG industry owners.

She gave a rundown of the steps the BNP regime took for the betterment of the sector, and appreciated different initiatives BGMEA took for the welfare of workers, urging the association to continue the trend.