The apex apparel body-BGMEA-Saturday alleged that apparel-makers are facing different types of harassment in getting services from various agencies including customs and city corporations. It also requested the government to take necessary measures to stop harassment. “We are harassed in different ways. We are being charged holding tax when we go for new licence or its renewal and have to pay up to Tk 1.2 million which earlier cost only Tk 10,000,” Md Siddiqur Rahman, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, alleged. Unnecessary obstacles were also created by many including customs, he added. The BGMEA president was speaking at the BGMEA-BUFT Journalism Fellowship Award-2015 programme held at its headquarters in the city. Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was the chief guest and Dhaka University Vice Chancellor AAMS Arefin Siddique was special guest while BGMEA vice presidents Faruque Hassan, SM Mannan Kochi, Mahmud Hasan Khan and Mohammed Nasir, among others, were present at the event. Six journalists from electronic and print media, both English and Bengali and online radio were awarded the fellowship. “If the government can not stop harassment, give us six months to one year so that we can gradually lay off our businesses,” he added. He also demanded reduction of corporate tax to 10 per cent from 35 per cent saying no investment would be made unless the corporate tax is reduced.
