Apparel exporters express 'no confidence' in BGMEA leadership
They expressed the 'no confidence' this afternoon (7 August) in a memorandum submitted to the BGMEA Acting President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, said former BGMEA Vice President Faisal Samad.
A group of apparel exporters have expressed "no confidence" in the current Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) leadership amid the ongoing crisis in the country.
A memorandum was submitted to the BGMEA Acting President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam in this regard on Wednesday (7 August) afternoon, said former BGMEA Vice President Faisal Samad.
The decision to submit the motion was made during an emergency meeting held on Tuesday evening.
Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel
"In the context of change, the garment sector is facing multifaceted challenges. But the initiative of the BGMEA president was not seen to deal with these, because he was in the field with political programmes," said Samad.
"This important sector of the economy is not important to him. At the same time, BGMEA members do not know his current whereabouts," he added.
The group also called for a restructuring of the current BGMEA board. "The board has the option to co-opt anyone any time," Samad added.
Commenting on the issue, BGMEA Director Shovon Islam said, "It's a disgusting and shameful act done by a group led by an opportunist, which was totally unexpected."
"A group of selfish opportunists is trying to create a chaotic situation during a national crisis and the crisis of the RMG sector," he added.
"Rather than coming together in solidarity and collaboration, they are shamelessly exploiting the situation for their selfish motives and personal gains." Shovon further said.
"I vehemently condemn the egregious assault on BGMEA today", he added.
Another BGMEA director, wishing to remain unnamed, said such a situation was being created when BGMEA board members were working hard to resume all factory operations and ensure their safety.
"It is a conspiracy to make the integrity of the industry questionable to brands and buyers by those who faced a crushing defeat in the last biennial election, though they wore Mujib coats," the director said.
"After the political regime change, they now want to take advantage by changing their identity," the director added.
However, sources within BGMEA said that the association's president, SM Mannan Kochi, is currently in Singapore with his son, who has been hospitalised for treatment.
In his absence, Senior Vice President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam is serving as the acting president of the association.
