Kazi Maniruzzaman, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, warned that if the Chattogram port did not operate 24 hours a day, garment factory owners cannot pay workers their wages and Eid allowances.
Maniruzzaman, the president of Sammilia Parishad, an election-centric panel of the BGMEA, also said that Eid is approaching, yet the port is at a standstill.
He spoke to journalists at the Parishad›s electoral manifesto disclosure in the capital on Wednesday.
He said that imports and exports have come to a halt. While raw materials from China take 14 days to arrive at Chattogram port, it now takes 18 days for goods to reach Dhaka.
‘How can we expect to run our businesses under these conditions? We understand there are many issues you need to address and reforms to implement—but not at the cost of burying our industry or destroying livelihoods,’ he added.
Meanwhile, due to an ongoing protest by the NBR officials, activities at the ports and customs have been at a standstill for the past few days.
He emphasised the need to keep Chattogram port operational round the clock and maintain smooth import-export activities.
‘If the port does not function 24/7, garment owners will not be able to fulfill their responsibilities to pay workers before Eid. Our exports will come to a halt, containers will pile up on the roads, and then where will we get the money to pay our workers?,’ he questioned.
At the event, the leaders of Sammilita Parishad said that bold leadership, consisting of experience, courage, and youthful energy, is necessary to reach the $100 billion goal of exporting readymade garment items.
They also said that such leadership must skillfully collaborate with workers, entrepreneurs, and international partners to drive the sector’s sustainable growth.
The biennial election of the BGMEA is scheduled for May 31, and the term will be 2025-27. Candidates from three panels will contest 35 directorship positions.
At the event, Md Abul Kalam, panel leader of the Sammilita Parishad, presented the 12-point electoral manifesto for the election.
He said that the RMG industry started its journey with just $12,000 in export earnings, and now Bangladesh is the world’s second-largest RMG exporter.
In the electoral manifesto, he said that they would establish a dedicated cell to support small and medium level RMG factories.
They would also work to resolve issues related to VAT, HS code, order cancellations, delayed payments, and legal contracts.
He also said that the sector is grappling with severe gas and electricity crisis and they would work to resolve the issues.
To prepare their employees and workers for industry 4.0, they will arrange adequate training for them on AI, IoT, ERP, ESG, and quality controls.
They also committed to establish a green funding desk, to work for diversifying new markets and products, to establish a BGMEA–NBR–Customs joint task force, and to develop a BGMEA-approved ‘Unified Code of Conduct’ in partnership with international buyers, ILO, and stakeholders to simplify compliances.
At the event, Faruque Hassan, election coordinator of Sammilita Parishad and former president of the BGMEA, Abdullah Hil Rakib, former senior vice president of the BGMEA, and Kazi Maniruzzaman, president of the Sammilita Parishad also spoke.
Economist Hasnat Alam from the Policy Research Institute presented a report on the overall economy and the RMG sector.
