The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) continues its series of dialogue meetings with worker federations to ensure law and order and a stable labour environment in the readymade garment (RMG) sector.
As part of this initiative, a meeting was held today at the BGMEA office in Uttara between BGMEA leaders and representatives of various garment worker federations. BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan presided over the meeting, which was also attended by Vice President Md. Rezwan Selim, Director Asef Kamal Pasha, and Director Sheikh Hossain Mohammad Mostafiz.
During the discussion, BGMEA sought the cooperation of worker federations in maintaining discipline and labour stability in the garment industry. The BGMEA urged federation leaders to help prevent illegal demands and avoid disruptions such as road blockades or vandalism of nearby factories over minor incidents, which cause public inconvenience and harm the industry.
Labour leaders present at the meeting emphasized that instability in the sector benefits no one. They stressed resolving issues internally through dialogue and welcomed BGMEA’s recent initiatives to set up Regional Dispute Resolution Cells in Gazipur, Ashulia, Savar, Mirpur, and Narayanganj to address workers’ grievances more efficiently.
President Mahmud Hasan also informed the federations about BGMEA’s plans to establish hospitals in major garment zones for workers’ healthcare. He stated that BGMEA has already sent formal requests to the government for land allocation and construction will begin as soon as land is received.
Additionally, he announced that BGMEA will soon launch a food rationing programme for garment workers and requested specific proposals from the worker federations. The labour leaders responded positively to this initiative.
The meeting also addressed the need to create a worker database to facilitate welfare schemes such as the ration card system. The BGMEA president called for collaboration in developing this vital resource.
Both sides pledged to work together to ensure peaceful coexistence in the garment sector.