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Stop harassing labour activists

6 US Congressmen ask govt in letter to PM

Refayet Ullah Mirdha
Six US Congressmen have expressed serious concern over an increased intimidation and harassment of labour activists, while Bangladesh is working to restore the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) facility to the American market.
Last year, the US suspended Bangladesh's trade benefits under the GSP, citing Bangladesh's failure in ensuring internationally-recognised worker rights.
Bangladesh used to export 0.54 percent or $26 million of its total export to the US a year under the GSP scheme, which allows different countries' zero-duty benefit to the American market for same selected goods.
The Congressmen - George Miller, Sander M Levin, Grace Meng, Eliot L Engel, Joseph Crowley and Janice D Schakowsky - expressed their concern in a letter sent to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on June 30.
The Congressmen issued the warning against Bangladesh following
recent comments on labour rights and workers' freedom of association by Commerce MinisterTofail Ahmed and Atiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
The letter reads: “We are pleased to see the government take some initial steps in response to the GSP action plan, and we welcome the increase in the registration of labour unions along with the other changes that have been made to improve working conditions in the garment export industry.
“While we acknowledge the work that has been done, we note that there are a number of essential steps that must still be taken.
"In particular, as union registrations have increased, we have also seen an increase in intimidation and harassment of labour activists. This is a serious concern to the United States Government, including the US Congress."
They urged Hasina to intervene as the Congressmen said they will not tolerate this pattern of intimidation and violence.
"As you are likely aware, a key element of the GSP action plan is to ensure protection of unions and their members from anti-union discrimination and reprisal," the letter added.
In the letter, they also called upon the government to create a friendly working environment where workers, factory owners, police and the ministers will come together to support workers' rights and their freedom of association.
"Public statements to the contrary by
the government and the industry officials are not only inappropriate; they send signals that are unhelpful to our common goals," the letter mentioned.
They have called on the government for a proper investigation and responding to the serious allegations brought by the National Garment Workers Federation following some recent attacks on some workers.
The copies ofthe letter were also sent to commerce minister, BGMEA president, US Ambassador to Bangladesh Dan W Mozena and Michael Froman, chief of the United States Trade Representative.