EU envoy suggests talks to end RMG troubles
Amid buyers' concern over workplace atmosphere in Bangladesh's readymade garment sector, the European Union yesterday urged stakeholders to hold talks to avoid unrest in the field.
“Some of the European buyers have expressed concern after the killing of garment workers' union leader Aminul Islam,” said William Hanna, ambassador and head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh.
Hanna spoke at a session on 'Lisbon treaty and changes in EU diplomacy', organised by Diplomatic Correspondents' Association, Bangladesh (DCAB), with support from the EU, at Ruposhi Bangla Hotel in Dhaka.
He termed the incident of World Bank's loan cancellation “very unfortunate”.
“The bridge is really essential for the people of Bangladesh.”
Hanna said the EU has no scope to be involved in the Padma Bridge project as the EU has no involvement in any infrastructure construction project in Bangladesh.
On incidences of disappearance, the envoy said the EU will continue to express concern over the disappearance of BNP leader Ilias Ali and his driver and subsequent killing of RMG workers' union leader Aminul Islam.
Aminul, 40, disappeared on April 4 from Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital. His body was found the next day by the Tangail-Mymensingh highway.
He stressed the need for impartial investigation to punish the culprits.
Hanna said the country's next general election must be free, fair and participatory.
“There should be an agreement. But we don't have any formula or model under which the election can be held, and it is the people of Bangladesh who will decide.”
Earlier, Hanna made a presentation to explain the changes that have been introduced in EU's diplomacy around the world following the Treaty of Lisbon, which entered into force on December 1, 2009.
Rezaul Karim Lotus, DCAB president, and Bashir Ahmed, general secretary, also spoke.
Comments