A large number of BGMEA members have shown their reluctance to provide necessary information of their workers for developing a biometric data base at BGMEA headquarters. The development of the biometric data base is one of the conditions put forwarded by the US government to get back the GSP facilities in the US market. The workers’ particulars included his name, father/husband/mother’s name, appointment letter, permanent and temporary residence address and photo copy of the national ID card. As part of the workers security Bangladesh and the USA agreed for developing a special workers assistance fund. It was also agreed 0.3 per cent fob value would be cut at source from the export earnings for developing the workers assistance fund. Annually total volume of the fund would be around Tk 800 million. The fund would be utilized the RMG worker or his/her family members if he or she fell any distress condition for various reasons. The biometric data base is necessary for smooth functions of workers distress fund. Accordingly the Bgmea asked its members to supply all the required information within January 31 last. But by February, 1 only 375 RMG factory owners complied the Bgmea directive. Total members of the Bgmea are 4200. Among them about 2500 factories enjoy UD (utilization declaration) facility. The process of developing biometric data base started in 2013 but till the date a full-fledged data centre could not be developed because of non-cooperation from the large number of RMG owners. Nobody could say why RMG owners are reluctance of provide necessary information related to their workers. The Bgmea source, however, said most of the RMG factory owners running their factory without providing appointment letter to their workers with a view of deprive workers of their service benefits. The Bgmea executive committee, however, decided to take stern action against the non-compliant members. The non-compliant members again asked to respond within February 15 next. If they fail all sorts of services from the Bgmea that are required for running their apparel business, will be stopped, the Bgmea source said.
