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EPZ Trade Unionism

Pass law by June 30 or face US trade facility withdrawal Thomas tells press

Staff Correspondent
US Ambassador Harry K Thomas yesterday warned Bangladesh of withdrawing cither the GSP (generalised system of preferences) facility or export-import bank fi nancing if it does not adhere to labour standards and allow trade unionism in its exclusive trade zones by the monthend.
"I have not seen this Idraft) law passed in parliament. If it isn’t passed by June 30 we have two options: withdraw the GSP or withdraw export-import bank financing," the US envoy said at a ’Meet-the-Press’ address titled "US-Bangladcsh Relations", celebrating the golden jubilee of the National Press Club at its VIP lounge yesterday.
The cabinet on May 23 approved a draft law titled, "EPZ Workers Association and Industrial Relations Act, 2004" to allow limited trade unionism in the six exclusive trade zones.
Thomas said Dhaka made an agreement with Washington and other donors on May 10 to adhere to International Labour Organisation
standards, including the rights to association and collective bargaining. at the EPZs (export processing zones) by June 30. The government decided to allow limited trade union activities in the exclusive industrial areas from November 1,2006.
The ambassador was optimistic the government would enact the law, as agreed, before the deadline. Otherwise, he said he would refer the matter to the US Trade Department and the White House to finalise punitive measures against
Bangladesh.
Asked if there were any room for further negotiations, Thomas replied, "There is always room to extend the time, but not for six months, six years or 14 years like we have done before."
Bangladesh has enjoyed $300 million in duty-free exports to the US market under the GSP facility since 1993, based on its commitment to adhere to the ILO standards and provide freedom of association in the EPZs. Washington has been pressing Dhaka to pass the workers' rights legislation since 1990.
HUMANTRAFFICKING
Thomas also reiterated US concerns over the grave human trafficking situation in Bangladesh that may lead to sanctions on nonhumanitarian and non-trade sectors.
"It (Bangladesh) failed to make significant efforts to prosecute traffickers and address the complicity of government officials in trafficking," Thomas said, explaining the placing of Bangladesh from Tier 2 toiler 3 in the annual US report on "Trafficking in Persons Report for 2004", released on June 14. The efforts of governments to fight human trafficking are rated in tiers in the report, based on concrete actions taken throughout the year.
Thomas observed the report was critical of police co-operation with traffickers and failure to arrest these policemen, substantial decline in convictions and the failure of the "Speedy Trial" antitrafficking court to convict a single trafficker.
He expressed concern over the misuse of funds provided for victims of human trafficking and address internal corruption issues with the police and judiciary. He added Bangladesh would be moved back to tier 2 in the report if the government makes further efforts to implement actions pledged to combat human trafficking.
ECONOMIC RELATIONS
Thomas asserted Bangladesh should stand up and be competitive in the global market and move away from a 'help us' attitude as "no country gets wealthy off handouts".
"You (Bangladesh) are not a poor country, you have tremendous natural and human resources," said Thomas when asked how Bangladesh can compete in the global market being a poor country.
He said the Bangladeshi civil society must work to solve the problems themselves, as these are their problems and urged the civil society not to attach importance to opinions of TIME magazine (which published an article calling Bangladesh the most dysfunctional Asian country) or US ambassadors.
Asked how US assistance programmes fit into the 'self-help',
he said Bangladesh should adopt a 'Depend on trade not aid' attitude after it becomes stronger through greater education of its human resources, which is provided by various state- and donor-funded programmes.
Ambassador Thomas also agreed with Enayetullah Khan, editor of the Daily New Age and Weekly Holiday, that Bangladesh should not be termed as a moderate Muslim or a Muslim country, but a country which has a Muslim majority.
National Press Club Secretary Shawkat Mahmood made the welcome address, while its President Reazuddin Ahmed, The Daily Prothom Alo Editor Motiur Rahman and The Daily Star Editor Mahfuz Anam were also present.