EU’s GSP facility

I want to make it clear that Bangladesh cannot take for granted the trade preferences it currently enjoys." Those were the words uttered by Karel De Guchi, European Trade Commissioner recently. These imply that Bangladesh must pull up its socks to effect substantial improvements in terms of workplace safety and labour rights. Currently, 97 per cent of Bangladeshi products enjoy duty-free access to the EU market. This includes readymade garments, which is the largest provider of foreign exchange earnings for Bangladesh. Needless to say, the EU's concern must be treated with the seriousness it deserves. We note that Bangladesh is in the process of implementing the roadmap agreed upon by the EU and ILO in this regard. However, factory safety and working conditions remain prime concerns, not just for EU, but the sector and policymakers too.
Recent events in the industrial belts where labour unrest has been witnessed over pay scale and supposed maltreatment of workers drive home the message that all is not well in the sector. It is of utmost importance that we avert consequences of any inaction that may result in our RMG products entering the common market having to pay 12.5 per cent duty. This could very well make Bangladeshi apparels uncompetitive. It is only in our best interests to comply with the agreed upon tri-partite roadmap. Making the workplace safe for workers and ensuring workers' representation in factories would benefit both workers and the sector as a whole.