Exporters face irrational conditions from buyers

A delegation of the Bangladesh Employers' Federation met the State Minister for Labour and Employment yesterday and said exporters are facing irrational conditions from foreign buyers on plea of international labour standard.

The delegation urged the government to take up the matter with international organisations. Such conditions should not be applicable for a developing country like Bangladesh for the sustenance of export oriented industries, said the delegation leader Iftekharul Alam, also president of BEF.

Assuring the delegation of government support, State Minister Lutfar Rahman Khan informed a pragmatic labour code incorporating suggestions of the business community has been finalised. He expressed hope that it will help boost production and maintain management-labour relation.

Khan further informed a child labour policy is nearing completion to build up the poor children as worthy citizens.

The issue of allowing trade union activities in export promotion zones also came up for discussion when the delegation stressed the need for efficient manpower to raise production.