Readymade garments sector has lot more to do than just export
13 Feb '06
3 min read
Even as Bangladesh fights out for its share of the big 'apple' -'global textile and garments market,' it has come under the scanner of globally recognized labour rights organization and international watchdog bodies.
Not withstanding the progress made by the country's readymade garments and textiles sector, what concerns these organizations is the manner in which garment factories operate in flagrant violation of international labour laws.
However, associations like Bangladeh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BAGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers And Exporters Association (BKMEA) have been actively persuading the members to improve the conditions of their workers along with adherence to international labour laws.
They know fully well that this if steps are not taken, will only act against their cause and whatever reputation that they have built for the country so far, will go down the drain, in no time.
Bangladesh has already emerged in the forefront of Least Developed Countries (LDC) who have been most impacted by the elimination of the textile quotas in the beginning, last year.
A recent report clearly indicts the apparel manufacturers of non compliance of common code of conduct, which in turn will lead to Bangladesh's loss of the present global export share.
Since apparels are exported mostly by poor developing countries, buyers of the same coming from the developed markets tend to come up with many conditions. This is nothing unusual in a buyers' market, today but may work against the country's industry, in the longer run.
marketing@alchempro.com
