Senior Staff Reporter of The Daily Star.
Speaking about Bangladesh, the ILO said its governing body took note of the report on the progress made with the implementation of the roadmap of actions and was mindful of its 2021-26 timeline for the labour sector reform as well as of the results yet to be achieved.
Before the minimum wage was raised to Tk 12,500 in December, thousands of workers took to the streets to press home their demand for a minimum salary between Tk 23,000 and Tk 25,000.
Textile makers in Bangladesh are witnessing slow sales ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr due to factors including a drop in demand for women's salwar-kameez amidst a high living cost and a lack of interest among the affluent class to donate clothes as Zakat to avoid hassle.
Despite facing one of the highest tariff rates, Bangladesh is the third-largest apparel exporter to markets in the US because of its efforts to improve working conditions, end forced labour, stamp out counterfeits, and provide safe and high-quality products to American consumers, said the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) at a hearing recently.
Ensuring the timely payment of salaries and bonuses of the over four million garment workers is the first priority of SM Mannan (Kochi), whose panel swept elections to the executive committee of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The United States International Trade Commission (USITC) is going to hold a hearing involving Bangladesh to see whether a recent rise in prices of garment items sourced from the country had anything to do with unhealthy competition.
Chinese textile and garment entrepreneurs are bullish about Bangladesh as the country cements its position as a top supplier of apparel items, evidenced from a healthy flow of orders from international clothing retailers and brands.
The Red Sea crisis is affecting Bangladesh's international trade as costs have increased
Being the top supplier of denim in both the EU and US, local investors are continuing to pour funds to capitalize growth
Apparel shipments from Bangladesh to the United States have continued its downward trend for the past several months due to slowdown in the sourcing of garment items by American retailers and brands because of higher inflationary pressure.
Although many ministers in the outgoing cabinet have been able to keep their place in the upcoming one, some big names have been left out.
While Bangladesh retained top position in garment export to UK, prices still remain one of the lowest
Rising emphasis on recycling and sustainability from global brands is driving the cotton waste export from Bangladesh
Commerce ministry writes letters to Bangladesh Bank, the National Board of Revenue
The Red Sea crisis is causing Bangladeshi exporters and importers to pay higher freight charges to the US and Europe
Export and remittance sectors suffered disappointments in 2023, looking desperately for solutions this year
The textile and garment sector witnessed a very dry investment season in 2023 as demand for clothing items fell globally