BADC-USA organizes Bangladesh Garments Review Meeting with US Congressional Leaders at the Capitol Hills
UsaNewsOnline.com : The “Bangladesh Garment Review Meeting with the US Congressional Leaders” was held at 2237 Rayburn House office Building at the Capitol Hills in Washington. The meeting was organized by Bangladeshi American Democratic Caucus (BADC-USA) and chaired by it’s President Dr. Nazmul Hassan (Shahin). BADC-USA leader Dr. Zakirul Haque (Tuku) presented the BGMEA progress report.
Honorable Congressman Sander Levin (MI); Mr. Keigan Mull and Shana Carter from the Ways and Means Trade Committee; Mr. Richard Miller, a Senior Labor Policy Advisor of Congressman George Miller (CA); Justin Tablot Zorn, a Legislative Director of Congressman John Conyers; Mr. Yvesner Zamar, a representative from Congressman John Conyers; Ms. Sonia Huq, a Congressional fellow of Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL); Ken Cummings, a representative of Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD);Kao Zouapa Lee, a representative of Congressman Keith Ellison; Saachi Gupta, a representative of Congressman Mike Honda; Christopher Elms, a representative from the US State Department; Michael O’Donovan, representative from the US Labor Department; Mara Burr, a representative from USTR; Representtaive from Workers’ Right Consortium Mr. Scott Nova; Representative from Solidarity Center Mrs. Jassica Maiorca; Commerce counselor Mr. Shafiqul Islam and Political counselor Nayeem Ahmed from the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington attended the meeting.
Among others who attended the meeting are the former President of Bangladeshi Engineering Association AABEA Mr. Hares Syed, Bangladesh Medical Association of North America Central Committee Executives Dr. Aboo Nassar, AABEA Great Lake Chapter President Monir Zaman, former MI-BADC President Ripa Haq, MI-BADC President Iqbal Faiz, CA-BADC (South) President Khan Kibria, MD-BADC President Jannatul Ferdous, MI-BADC Executive VP Sulaiman Bahar, MI-BADC VP Zubarul Chowdhury Khokon, Towhida Haque, Mowli Ahmed, BADC Standing Committee Chairman Kazi Sohel Ahmed attended the meeting. CA-BADC (Bay Area) President Rahin Nasreen, AZ-BADC President Farhana Baki, TX-BADC President Habib Ullah attended the meeting on Conference call.
Several Bangladesh National News and Print Media attended the meeting to follow the news. The Chief of Bangla Burue of the Voice of America (VOA) Mrs. Rokeya Haider and Fakir Salim, Channel-I USA and Canada CEO Mr. Abid Rahman, Mr. Ali, and Mr. Didar attended the meeting. The BADC-USA Communication and Media Relations Committee Chair Dr. Abu Naser (Rajib) joined from Dhaka Press Club along with the representatives from several print media — the Daily Star, Prothom Alo, Bdnews, BSS, Bhorer Kagoj. Comilla Press Club President and managing Editor of Daily Rupashi Bangla Mr. Ashiq Amitav attended the meeting from Comilla on Conference call.
BADC-USA President Dr. Nazmul Hassan (Shahin) said, “BADC-USA is a national political platform of the Bangladeshi American Democrats. Partnering with the state BADCs, we promote the values and the interest of the Bangladeshi Americans in the US political process. As a Democratic Party Caucus, one of our intensions is to play a complimentary role to positively contribute towards the development of Bangladesh while strengthening the US-Bangladesh bi-lateral relations within the US policies. “
Dr. Hassan mentioned, “In spite of the challenges and the roadblocks, the garments industry in Bangladesh is growing and helping Bangladesh significantly becoming a middle income country. Today, Bangladesh is the second largest exporter of readymade garment products after China. The sector accounts for nearly 80% of the country’s export income making the backbone of Bangladesh industry.”
He added, “the interest of USA and Bangladesh is important to us as an organization of the Bangladeshi American Diaspora. The USA is the largest Market of Bangladesh garments and Bangladesh is a strategic ally of the United States of America. We want to help the people of Bangladesh so that the people of America can buy the best quality garment products at an affordable price produced in a safer working environment. More dialogue between Bangladesh and USA is important to resolve any garments related issues like GSP privilege, Duty and Quota Free Access, Workers Safety, Labor Union etc. Our effort is to facilitate the dialogue.“
Dr. Hassan also read a message from US Ambassador Dan Mozena where the Ambassador hoped to see Bangladesh Brand incon a success. Dr. Hassan invited the US Congressional leaders to visit Dhaka at the end of 2014. He mentioned that BADC-USA will facilitate the Dhaka meeting between US Congressional delegation and BGMEA.
Powerfull US Congressman Sander Levin advised to tackle the deplorable working conditions of apparel workers and violence committed on them by armed thugs and silencing any voice of workers union. He said, “the US administration is deeply committed to protecting the rights of the workers by enforcing provisions for labor unions.” He indicated that Bangladesh must promote healthy workers union protecting workers interest. He also indicated, the burden is also on US consumers to pay a little more on the cost and support the cause for promoting health welfare and safety among the workers.
Richard Miller, a Senior Labor Policy Advisor of Congressman George Miller (CA) said, “We remain troubled that the garment industry leaders at BGMEA continue claim—without public contradiction– that RMG workers communicating about working conditions to others outside the country (such as with the US Congress) is against state interests, and it is worrisome that unfair labor practices or anti-union violence should be viewed as “secret” matters.” He added, “US consumers have a right to know the conditions under which garments are made in countries that export to our shores.”
Shafiqul Islam, Commerce Counselor and Nayeem Ahmed, Political counselor from Bangladesh embassy in US updated the US congressional leadership about the current progress on labor union formation, regulatory agencies and fire and safety inspections. They have also indicated the challenges in making full compliance in short time, but ensured their commitment in making continued further progress.
Scott Nova from workers right consortium and Michael O’Donovan of US labor department voiced that even though there is evidence that condition has improved in some areas, the garment industry has yet to go a long way to improve on labor rights and eliminate violence in labor union.
In the afternoon, BADC-USA had a series of meetings with the representtaive of Congressman John Conyers (MI); Congressman Gary Peters (MI); Congressman Chris Van Hollen (MD); Congressman John Dingell (MI); Representative of Congressman Keith Ellison (MN), Lindsey Herbel; Representative of Congressman Gerry Connolly (VA), Collin Davenport; and Representative of Congressman Rush Holt (NJ), Patrick Eddington.
Representative from the office of Congressman John Conyers informed the BADC-USA leaders that the Congressman has a strong commitment to women’s cause. Bangladesh has 4.2 Million unique labor forces mainly comprising of 80% women who has been a major impetus for the sustainability of their family and on a bigger scale the National Economy. The Rana Plaza is a wake-up call. But despite the stigmata the growth of this industry has been quite phenomenal.
Congressman Gary Peters showed his candid interest in seeing the Bangladesh garment industries continued growth. But he also reiterated the importance of labor union protecting workers voice, improved wage and safe condition so that US consumers can be proud to buy Bangladesh brands.
Congressman Chris Van Hollen renewed his ongoing commitments to help bolster the Bangladesh garments market. He agreed, it is not prudent to cease operations but to strive for the better and transform the landscape of apparel industry in a positive direction.
সর্বশেষ সংবাদ
- Rohingyas Want to Return Home, Bangladesh Tells UN
- এক দশক ধরে বিপুল সংখ্যক রোহিঙ্গাকে আশ্রয় দেওয়া দেশের জন্য টেকসই নয়, রোহিঙ্গারাও নিজ দেশে ফিরে যেতে চায় : জাতিসংঘে বাংলাদেশ
- Bangladesh and UN Women pledge closer cooperation to advance women’s empowerment and the WPS agenda
- নিউইয়র্কে চিটাগং অ্যাসোসিয়েশন অব নর্থ আমেরিকা (মাকসুদ-মাসুদ) এর সংবাদ সম্মেলনে কুৎসা রটানোর প্রতিবাদ
- নারীর ক্ষমতায়ন এবং নারী, শান্তি ও নিরাপত্তা এজেন্ডা এগিয়ে নিতে বাংলাদেশ ও ইউএন উইমেনের ঘনিষ্ঠ সহযোগিতার অঙ্গীকার
- State Minister for Foreign Affairs Urges Stronger Global Action to Protect Civilians, Uphold Humanitarian Law and Support Rohingya Repatriation
- বেসামরিক জনগণের সুরক্ষা, আন্তর্জাতিক মানবিক আইন সমুন্নত রাখা ও রোহিঙ্গা প্রত্যাবাসনে জোরালো বৈশ্বিক পদক্ষেপের আহ্বান পররাষ্ট্র প্রতিমন্ত্রী শামার
- মহররম মাসের গুরুত্ব ও ফজিলত!