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Meeting fails to decide on TU at EPZs

By Rafiq Hasan
A high-level government meeting could not decide yesterday whether to allow trade union activities in the export processing zones (EPZs).
"We just exchanged views on different aspects of the issue. More discussion would be needed to reach a decision." said Abdul Jalil, minister for commerce, who presided over the meeting held at the ministry.
Asked about the possibility of a decision in this regard before US President Bill Clinton's forthcoming visit here. Jalil told the Daily Star that "we would try our best to reach a final decision in a very short
Earlier, the commerce minister told US ambassador John C Holzman during a meeting on
Tuesday that there would be a decision in a week.
Labour and Employment Minister Abdul Mannan. Chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) M A B Siddiquc Talukder and representatives from Prime Minister’s Office and other relevant ministries attended the meeting.
When contacted. Mannan said there was a general discussion on the issue but no specific decision. He also said that to reach a decision the government would go for further discussion with the people concerned.
‘The issue is related with various quarters and government can not take a decision unilaterally." he said. The labour minister also said his ministry did not make any particular suggestion on the Issue. He favoured continuing to woo foreign investment relaxing the labour law.
He observed that If the existing labour laws were strictly Implemented many factories would face closure giving rise to unemployment In the country.
The US government ’ is putting pressure on Bangladesh to withdraw restrictions on forming trade union In Its two EPZs. Washington also threatened to cancel GSP (Generalised System of Preferences) facilities lor Bangladesh's exports to the US market.
The US pressure came after American Federation of Labour Council and Industrial Organisations (AFLCIO). the largest platform of US trade unions, alleged in last June that there were violation of workers rights in the EPZs.
The US ambassador held series of meetings with ministers. BEPZA authority and Investors of Dhaka and Chittagong EPZ lor allowing trade union activities. ensuring freedom ol ex-Ecession and freedom of assem-ling by the labourers in the
But the government is reluctant to allow free trade union activities In the zones as it may upset the existing peaceful working condition in the zone. Foreign and local Investors in the EPZs also threatened to withdraw their Investment If the congenial atmosphere was disturbed.
The Issue may feature in the official discussion between Dhaka and Washington during Clinton's visit scheduled for 20 of this month.
Bangladesh permanent mission In Geneva also urged the government recently to solve the trade union issue as there has been serious criticism In various international arena.
In a letter to foreign secretary Shafi Shami. the mission said that the International Labour Organisation (ILO) and other International organisations were very critical of the country over the Issue.
Bangladesh Is often singled out as one of the few countries that does not allow to exercise trade union rights in the EPZs, the letter said, calling for quick settlement of the controversial Issue,