Business leaders seek BNP support to delay LDC graduation
BNP agrees that allowing trade unions with 20 workers would be disaster
Leading business figures have requested the BNP's support to delay Bangladesh's graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status by three years, citing inadequate infrastructure and concerns over industrial consequences.
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"We have requested a three-year deferment of LDC graduation because our infrastructure is not yet ready," BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan told the media after a meeting with BNP leaders at the party's Gulshan office in Dhaka today (21 September).
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Senior party leaders, including Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam, attended the discussion.
"We were able to convey this to the BNP leadership and hope they will communicate it to the current government," Mahmud Hasan said.
He said business leaders also raised concerns over the government's proposed amendment to the Labour Act, which would allow the formation of a trade union with just 20 workers.
"We have submitted a proposal based on the number of workers in each factory. We believe it is reasonable," he added.
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Mohammad Hatem, president of BKMEA, warned that allowing unions with only 20 workers would hinder industrialisation and deter investment.
"BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam agreed that this measure could spell disaster for the industry," Hatem said.
He added, "As a political party, we sought BNP's support for the benefit of both industry and workers. Genuine worker representation cannot emerge if such small unions are allowed."
BNP Standing Committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said, "Domestic and foreign investors are waiting for elections before making commitments. Many want to invest in Bangladesh but are holding off until the electoral process concludes."
Other participants at the meeting included former FBCCI president AK Azad, Square Group Managing Director Tapan Chowdhury, Pran-RFL Group Managing Director Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, and BKMEA Executive President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan.
