News Report The New York University has started hostile campaign against Bangladesh Ready Made Garment (RMG) industries aiming to encourage the US administration to take stringent measures against RMG products import from Bangladesh. After the collapse of Rana Plaza in the year 2013, Bangladesh RMG sector came under severe criticism around the globe about the working conditions and labour rights, which led to the suspension of the GSP (generalized system of preference) facilities by Obama administration. The brand and retailer’s groups of Europe and America jointly prescribed 16-point action plan, which included the improvement of working conditions and granting of labour rights. During the last two years Bangladesh did a lot in implementing the 16-point action plan, which was lauded in Europe and America. Every one praised the improvement of safety and security measures and also improvement in the labour right situation. But suddenly the New York University’s Stern Centre for Business and Human Rights released a study report stating the 7000 Bangladesh RMG factories producing goods for the global market and said a large number of RMG workers fall outside the purview of improvements of working conditions and labour rights. The study particularly mentioned about the sub-contracting industries. It said that compliance industries produced goods through sub-contracting process and almost all the sub-contracting industries remained out the purview of 16-point action plan. The BGMEA termed the New York University’s study report a misleading propaganda. They said that it’s not true that 7000 RMG factories are producing apparel for the global market. Factories under the domain of the BGMEA, numbering around 3,600, are responsible to meet the global demand. It was told that a large number of RMG factories are operating in Bangladesh to meet the apparel demands of the local market. They are not the members of the BGMEA or the BKMEA. The New York University’s study focused on the RMG factories meeting the local market demand. Regarding the sub-contract, Faruque Hasan, senior vice-president, BGMEA said if any factory received the order for supply of apparels feels that it will not be able to supply goods in time due to unavailable condition that factory may go for sub-contracting process with the approval of the buyer or the buyers. The sub-contracting factory must be a compliant one, he said. Farque Hasan also alleged that the New York University Stern Center for Business and Human rights did not contact the BGMEA while conducting the survey. Ethically they should have sought opinions of all stake holders including the BGMEA before releasing the study reports, the BGMEA leader said.
