European Commission (EC) representatives held a meeting with Commerce Minister Hafizuddin Ahmed and expressed their grave concern about the recent unrest in the garment sector.
They urged the government to find quick solution to the problems by arranging a national dialogue among factory owners, buyers, workers association, and Government bodies to overcome the situation.
They warned that if the government failed to manage the issues, Bangladeshi apparel products will face difficulties entering the European market and also demanded 100 percent compliance of garment products from Bangladesh.
Members of the importing European Union countries are very sensitive about the compliance issue and would turn out to be a serious issue for Bangladeshi apparel exporters if they fail to comply with international environment standards in their garment factories.
They felt that worker's wages were 'low' and admitted that it must be adjusted with the rising price of requisites.
The EC delegation has directed the garment factory owners to restructure their factories as compliance units within a year.
They expressed hope that the newly formed wage board will fix satisfactory minimum wage for the workers.
Bangladesh exported garment products worth US $3,700 million in the first 10 months of 2006, according to Export Promotion Bureau.
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