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Appointment of Administrator at BGMEA

Businesses smell a rat as govt jumps at court order

Staff Correspondent
Die business community smells a rat in the government decision to promptly appoint an administrator that replaces the elected office bearers of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
Businesspersons suspect the move is nothing but an attempt to influente the BGMEA election slated for February 17 to elect peo-pleloyal to the government
The elected office bearers can
play a key role in appointing employees, since the BGMEA provides direct employment to over 18 lakh workers, they explained.
They said although a Dhaka court asked the government to appoint the administrator, it did not direct it to 'immediately' implement the order.
They also sought the prime minister's intervention to stop the appointment of a government official to run a private sector trade body. The move will damage the image of Bangladeshi exporters with
foreign buyers, they added.
The government on Thursday appointed the administrator to replace the executive committee of the largest trade association of Bangladesh following a court order onjanuary3.
Criticising the decision, the business people said the government should work hand in hand with the private sector to cope with the post-MFA era. Instead, it has shown its intention to control the private sector by appointing a public FROM PAGE 12
servant to run the trade body, they alleged.
The BGMEA has meanwhile decided to go to court to prevent the administrator from taking over charges.
"V.fe're surprised to learn that only the government, tliedefendant No. 37. among 37 parties, got copies of the notice," BGMEA President Annisul Huq said.
Several business leaders pointed out there is an arbitration tribunal in the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) to settle any dispute among , the trade bodies. Theysaiditisausua! practice to appeal to this tribunal to solve any dispute before going to court
FBCCI President Abdul Awal Mintoo said: "The FBCCI tribunal is the responsible body for settling disputes among trade bodies. In the last two years the tribunal settled over 30 arses. It's not good sign that businesspersons directly go to the court bypassing the tribunaL"
He said the government should never get involved in the disputes of trade bodies. "Unfortunately, it has been observed that the government tries to take political advantages from such internal disputes which is undesired."
Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) President Kutubuddin Ahmed, also former president of the BGMEA, said the appointment of the administrator will tarnish the image of our garment sector.
"It may have negative impact on apparel export. Vfe're passing one of the most critical phases in the garment sector history with only seven days into the post-MFA era. We all need to work for our survival in the competitive world market, but such a move can dampen exporters' spirit," Ahmed said.
President of Bangladesh Frozen Foods Exporters Association Quazi Monirul Haq said the BGMEA leaders should be given a chance to defend themselves before appointing an administrator. "The appointment is not acceptable as there is no administrative failure in the BGMEA."
President of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Md Fazlul Hoque said he did not know much about the court ruling. He said it is unfortunate that
the BGMEA was not given a hearing to defend itself before the court passed its ruling.
In tiie order of appointment, the government directed the administrator, Joint Secretary of Industries Ministry Mohammad Ayub Miah, to take over charges "immediately" and conduct election of the new office bearers within the next six months.
The administrator has also been directed to run daily business of the association.
MA Masud had filed apetition with the Court of Second Assistant Judge against the government. The content of the petition, on which the judgement was based, could not be known immediately.
Meantime, Oikya Jote, a platform of garment factory owners that pulled out of the2003election race, yesterday expressed the hope that the administrator will be able to hold the upcoming BGMEA election in a free, fair and peaceful mannerinsixmonths.
A press statement signed by SU Haider, principal coordinator of Oikya Jote, said the previous BGMEA election was undemocratic that snatched franchise of general owners of garment factories.