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BGMEA transparency

20 July 2004, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By A Husnain, Dhaka
20 July 2004, 18:00 PM
I was listening to the BBC news covering our RMG sector (proposed amendment to maternity leave, and other benefits to the garment workers, specially the problems of the female workers). It looked to me as if the chief of the BGMEA dribbled past the critical questions regarding weekly leave, overtime (payment) and other grievances of the workers. Like the terrorist activities the garment workers are afraid to complain officially due to fear of losing their jobs, specially in the absence of recognized negotiating groups.

The authorities are naturally rather soft on the garment industry as it is the major earner of foreign exchange. The question is how far the regulatory role is to be compromised, and for how long. Lot of elaborate subjective propaganda and publicity is going on the media on how badly this industry might suffer from next year after international deregulation.

Our MPs have to be neutral and tough, and not show partiality in their public responsibilities. The nation is bogged down with corruption and terrorism. How do we get out of it?

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There is a greater apprehension lurking in the background: the secret activities of powerful foreign nations to control Bangladesh through local stooges, as we have seen in some Saarc member nations.

What the leadership has to say on the above state of affairs? The parliament may go into deeper debate on the alleged non-transparency of the BGMEA.