Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association election contender Forum panel said that it would introduce forced-savings among the RMG manufacturers as a solution to wage issues ahead of Eid and other festivals.
Mahmud Hasan Khan (Babu), the Forum panel leader, revealed this at a 鈥榤eet the press鈥� event in the capital on Sunday.
He said that they already discussed the idea internally, and it would be included in their election manifesto.
He also said that the RMG sector typically clears workers鈥� wages within the first seven working days of the month. But, about 1 per cent factories usually face challenges in paying wages in time.
He said that 2,000鈥�2,500 garment factories are operational now and 1,800 are actively engaged in exports, among about 7,000 BGMEA members.
鈥榁ulnerable factories can utilise forced savings. If necessary, we will hold an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) to gather opinions from all BGMEA members,鈥� he added.
He said that despite RMG factories experience difficulties due to various issues 鈥� shipment delays, infrastructure challenges, supply chain disruptions, or worker unrest 鈥� failure to pay workers鈥� wages cannot be justified.
Responding to a journalist鈥簊 question about the potential impact of US tariffs, he said that if the US considers the tariffs to be reciprocal, Bangladesh鈥檚 tariffs must be lowered than the US stated.
He also said that the Ministry of Commerce is actively working to reduce the trade deficit, and a list of products that could be imported from the US has been prepared.
鈥楾he government and trade bodies are addressing the tariff issue. The Ministry of Commerce has already issued a letter to the USTR, and the USTR has responded to the discussion offer,鈥� he said.
On the subject of fair pricing, he explained that it is closely tied to negotiation power, strategic planning, and balanced expansion.
鈥榃hen demand and supply are balanced, negotiation power increases. We must avoid unplanned expansion,鈥� he added.
He suggested introducing a floor price for RMG products to ensure fair pricing.
Regarding Bangladesh鈥檚 graduation from the least developed country (LDC) list, he mentioned that the government was making efforts and that the sector was ready to support these initiatives.
For the upcoming BGMEA election, the Forum panel has announced a 9-point priority list for the RMG sector, which includes establishing a separate ministry for it.
The panel plans to propose that the government bring sufficient reforms to the textile ministry to enable it to also serve as the RMG ministry.
Moreover, they aim to create a sustainable BGMEA. Their priorities include providing more policy support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), eliminating harassment by banks and customs authorities, offering special policy support for struggling institutions, and finalising the exit policy for such institutions.
Candidates, coordinators, and senior officials from the Forum Panel were also present at the event.
The BGMEA election is scheduled for May 31. A total of 1,832 members will exercise their voting power to elect 35 directors from 97 contesting candidates from three panels.
Forum and Sammilita Parishad will present full panels, while Oikkya Parishad has six candidates. The remaining candidates are independents. Voting will take place at the Dhaka and Chittagong centres.
