Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association president Mohammad Hatem urged the interim government to implement policies discussing with business people and other stakeholders to attract more investment, grow industries, and generate more employment.
He also said that investment from both home and abroad has been stagnant for many days due to the country鈥檚 unfriendly business policies.
He spoke at the Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists鈥� Forum (BLRJF)鈥檚 annual general meeting in the capital.
Mohammad Hatem also said that most businessmen want their workers to get fair wages. This will help increase production and industry growth.
鈥楤ut international brands and buyers talk about only trade union. If they don鈥檛 pay fair and ethical prices for Bangladeshi products, it is impossible to ensure the rights of workers,鈥� he added.
He urged the Bangladesh Bank governor to consult with businesses and stakeholders before taking decisions on the country鈥檚 businesses.
The former government made wrong and fabricated data on the country鈥檚 export earnings, and based on that data, the planned LDC graduation status. However, it is not the right time to graduate from LDC status.
He said that it was illogical to increase gas and electricity prices without supplying enough gas and electricity to industrial units. In the last six months, the government has been unable to ensure a business-friendly environment.
Tannery Workers Union (TWU) general secretary Abdul Malek said that it is high time to fix the Tk聽25,000 minimum wage for the workers, taking inflation into account.
鈥楾here is huge potential of leather industry but systematically the industry has been destroyed. Once, a cow rawhide was sold at up to Tk聽4000, but now we have to throw them in canals or bury underground. Proper government support can boost the industry,鈥� he added.
Mahmudul Hasan Khan, deputy director of programmes at the Bangladesh Labour Foundation, highlighted that good relations between industry owners and workers are crucial for growing the country鈥簊 industries.
Bangladesh Labour Rights Journalists鈥� Forum was formed in 2015. BLRJF president Kazi Abdul Hannan presided over the AGM while general secretary Ataur Rahman moderated it.
