Entrepreneurs in Bangladesh have sought the intervention of the International Labour Organization (ILO) to get a fair price for readymade garments. The entrepreneurs sought cooperation in a meeting with the company’s Director-General Guy Ryder. The meeting was held at the ILO headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday (1 June).
At the meeting, the entrepreneurs said that fair prices are of the utmost importance for a safe working environment, establishment of labour rights, and sustainable development of the garments industry. The prices of yarn, various chemicals, and other raw materials in the global supply chain have increased at an enormous rate; shipping charges have also increased. Overall production costs have risen abnormally.
But there has been no positive response from brands and buyers.
They urged the ILO and other international forums to put moral pressure on buyers on the issue of fair prices for ready-made garments.
The Bangladesh delegation included BGMEA President Faruque Hassan, Bangladesh Employers Federation (BEF) President Ardashir Kabir, BKMEA Executive President Mohammad Hatem, and Chairman of BGMEA’s Standing Committee on ILO Affairs ANM Saifuddin and BEF Secretary General Farooq Ahmed.
During the meeting, the exporting entrepreneurs briefed the ILO Director-General on the current situation of the garments industry in Bangladesh, and the challenges and prospects of the industry. They highlighted various aspects of the development of a safe working environment, development of labour quality, and environmentally sustainable development of the garments industry. They also informed the Secretary-General about the various achievements that gained international recognition.
