Proper accountability required in RMG sector: Speakers

Proper accountability is required to ensure workers’ betterment in the RMG sector during the Covid-19 pandemic, said speakers in a virtual dialogue on Saturday.

All the corporate manners should be practised in the RMG sector for the well-being of the workers, they said in the dialogue jointly organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) and the Shojag Coalition.

Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem, Research Director, CPD, stated in his keynote presentation that small RMG exporters which are not members of the BGMEA need to be brought under the accountability to practise corporate manners to ensure governance, labour law compliance, freedom of expression and disclosure practices.

According to his presentation, about 67.6 percent of the factories have applied for loans under the government’s stimulus package. Some 62.7 percent received subsidised credit for four months but workers were not supported. As per the factories, 21.4 percent of them could not pay anything to the retrenched workers in the pandemic.

Tipu Munshi, Minister for Commerce, who attended the programme as chief guest, said, “It is the duty of the owners to ensure workers’ dues on time.”

BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib, emphasised on making the mid-level management that will be more aware of the labour rights to ensure a healthy working environment.

Kalpona Akter, Executive Director, Bangladesh Centre for Workers’ Solidarity (BCWS), urged the BGMEA to share more information on the arbitration settlement process.

Responding to the statement of Kalpona Akter, Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA, a guest of honour at the dialogue, informed about active role to share information of BGMEA’s arbitration cell.

Barrister Sara Hossain, executive director of the Bangladesh Legal Aid and Services Trust (BLAST), recommended inclusion of labour courts within the virtual court processes.

Mohammad Hatem, first vice-president, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), emphasised on establishing responsible trade unions which will raise the voices of workers.

Professor Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow, CPD, who chaired the session, emphasised on strengthening social dialogue to reduce the gaps between employers, workers and government offices concerned.