The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association has urged the government to provide garment workers with foodgrains under the system of ration for at lease one year because of its high price.

A BGMEA delegation led by its president Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez met with the Finance Adviser Dr Mirza Azizul Islam Wednesday afternoon with a three-point demand that also include reduction of bank interest and waiving of interest of sick factories.

Chowdhury later told newsmen that the Adviser assured them of looking into the demands.

He said the Finance Adviser was apprised of the difficulties of garment workers because of spiraling price of essentials. The factories are also not in a position to raise their wages. The owners cannot expand the export market in the face of tough competition.

"We have pleaded for introducing rationing system to supply rice, lentil and oil for at least one year. The apparel sector can't face further anarchy. Instability is apprehended in the garments sector because of spiraling price of essentials," Chowdhury said. Asked whether providing ration to over 20 lakh workers is practical he cited example of India where low-income group is given ration to obviate the outcome of price hike.

"Anarchy can easily be made in our garment factories since they are located in particular areas. The recent incident at Mirpur was not merely for wage or allowance. It was the outburst of sufferings from high price of essentials," said the BGMEA president.

He said garments sector of India and China enjoying easy bank facilities at low rate have posed tough competition to Bangladeshi exporters. The competition is going to be tougher with USA and European countries lift ban on China.

Chowdhury said they have also urged the Finance Adviser to reevaluate the 270 sick garment factories identified by the previous government.

"We have appealed to waive the sick factories' interest and allow it to pay the principal amount in easy installments. None of the factories are defaulter. They fell sick due to various reasons," he added.