TDS Desk:

Amid multiple challenges in the readymade garment (RMG) industry, a group of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) members are calling for a restructuring of the current BGMEA board, citing a lack of confidence in the leadership as they failed to provide specific guidelines for improving the industry.

They claimed that the country’s key exporting sector has been passing a difficult time for the last several months, exacerbated by recent unrest following the student-led protests in July. The situation culminated in Sheikh Hasina’s resignation as prime minister on 5 August.

Around 200 apparel exporters submitted a memorandum to the apex apparel body to reform on Wednesday, as the current board won an illegal election. Even the current board failed to improve the business situation even six months after being elected, they also claimed.

They demanded that general members could not raise their voices against the current and previous boards of the BGEMA despite various allegations, including corruption, irregularities, and abuse of power, as the boards were operated by political consideration.

Under this circumstance, they urged handing over the charge to a skilled, non-political, and natural interim government to operate the BGEMA smartly to overcome industrial challenges.

Talking to the Daily Sun, BGMEA Forum panel leader Faisal Samad said they submitted a memorandum to the BGMEA on Wednesday, calling for a reform of the current board as its President SM Mannan Kochi, also general secretary of the Dhaka north unit of the Awami League, has been inactive in his responsibilities amid the current wave of violence, leaving him to take on the role in his absence.

“We, the general members, did not get any direction from the BGMEA amid the crisis in the country. Even the previous election was illegal. So, now an active president and board are needed to grow the industry,” he also said.

He claimed that many people led by BGMEA President SM Mannan Kochi attacked the agitators of the anti-discrimination movement in the Mirpur area, but the president and his board did not express an apology despite the atrocity activities.

Faisal, also the managing director of Surma Garments Ltd, said the current board will not have any impact on the business or international market if it is reformed.

Meanwhile, a meeting with the current board and other members was held on Thursday, with BGMEA Acting President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam in the chair. The meeting was attended by First Vice President Syed Nazrul Islam, vice presidents Arshad Jamal (Dipu), Md Nasir Uddin, Abdullah Hill Rakib, and directors and entrepreneurs.

In the meeting, they strongly condemned the recent unintended incident at the BGMEA head office on Wednesday, expressed condolences to the bereaved families, and prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured.

They emphasised that despite differing opinions, demands for reforms beyond established norms are unacceptable. Concerns were raised about the security of the BGMEA, noting that repeated incidents could negatively impact foreign buyers’ perceptions regarding the industry and the BGMEA.

They discussed the industry’s current challenges, including the liquidity crisis in banks and its impact on timely wage payments to workers.

Speaking on dissolving the current board, former president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) S M Fazlul Hoque told Daily Sun that the country is having a tough time.

“The BGMEA elections have been held under the Awami League-led government for the past several terms, so they naturally align with that ideology. Now, an interim government has been formed in the country, we should exercise patience,” he also said.

Fazlul, also a proprietor of Fashion Apparel Industries, said the BGMEA has to remain active every day as it plays a vital role in the export and import business.

“The decision to reform the board should be taken as per the interim government. The BGMEA board may operate by its direction in coming days,” he also said.

According to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the country’s total exports in FY23 amounted to US$55.56 billion, with readymade garment (RMG) exports totaling $46.99 billion.

General members seek politics-free BGMEA

In a press conference on Monday at Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka, a group of apparel exporters called for resignation of the current board president and its board members immediately.

They also sought BGMEA be freed from any political influence for the sake of business and industry’s growth, arranging a fair election forming an interim director board to enlist neutral voter list

They also urged to bring all corrupts in the BGMEA to the book after neutral investigation.