GSP only if working standards are met: Mozena

Bangladesh can convince United States to continue GSP for its garment exports by improving working conditions and safety standards in its factories, US envoy to Dhaka Dan W Mozena said on Saturday.

The disaster at Savar happened because labour groups were not there to defend worker interests, Mozena told a public hearing on industrial safety at the parliament members club on Saturday.

Israfil Alam, chairman of the standing committee for Labour and Employment asked the ambassador if the current working conditions and safety would lead to Bangladesh loosing out on the GSP for its readymade garment exports.

The US ambassador replied saying, “The collapse of Rana Plaza and the fire at Tazreen Fashions took place right when Bangladesh is being considered for the GSP. These questions were raised in 2007 as well. These incidents give rise to safety questions. Bangladesh has to show that it has taken initiatives to better the work conditions.”

Bangladesh’s effort to get preferential access to the US market suffered a huge set back after the collapse of Rana Plaza that killed over 1,100 people, mostly garment workers.

Mozena had told reporters that the mishap would have an adverse impact on the Bangladesh’s chance of getting GSP.

Bangladesh exports a large number of products to the United States but readymade garments its main export item does not enjoy the preferential trading status.

According to data by Export Development Bureau, Bangladesh has exported goods worth over US $24 billion in the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Of this 21 percent ($5 billion) was exported to the US.

Bangladesh has emerged as the second largest exporter of readymade garments products, thanks to the duty-free access offered by Western nations.

In 2011, goods worth US $26.3 million were exported to the US. The GSP covers the export of tobacco products, sport equipments, kitchen utensils and plastic goods to the US.

Mozena said the authorities could not have forced the workers inside the unsafe building if there was a labour organisation. Workers would not be able to organize without rights to form a labour union.

“There has to be a coordinated effort by government-buyer-owner to provide factories with safety certificates. This process has to be independent and transparent. There has to be a regulation that rules out rights to export without a certificate.”

The US ambassador urged the government to meet international standards while passing the Labour Law to secure rights of its workers.

“The new Labour Law will maintain the rights of workers”, he added.

The parliament standing committee for the Ministry of Labour and Employment arranged the public hearing. Representatives of garment workers, owner and buyers took part in the hearing.