RMG owners object to govt initiative to allow trade union with 20 workers

The country's ready-made garment industry owners have formally objected to the government's initiative to allow trade unions to be formed if only 20 workers of a factory want to do so.

In a meeting at the Secretariat today, leaders of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) raised their concerns in a meeting with five government advisers, warning of the potential negative impact on the industry if the measure is implemented, according to meeting sources.

Sources said, the advisers assured the owners that their objections would be taken into consideration. The owners were also requested to submit their concerns in writing to the ministry, outlining the reasons for their opposition to the proposed amendments.

The meeting, chaired by Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, adviser to the power, energy and mineral resources ministry, was also attended by Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain, adviser to the labour and employment ministry, along with three other advisers.

"We have conveyed our concerns. We have been asked to put them in writing, and we will do so soon," Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, president of BGMEA told The Business Standard after the meeting.

He added, "We will explain in writing the potential consequences for the industry if the proposed amendments to the labour law are implemented."

BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem echoed BGMEA president, telling TBS, "The advisers said they will review our concerns. We will submit a written explanation of the problems."

The government has recently initiated amendments to the existing Bangladesh Labour Act (BLA), following long-standing discussions about obstacles and complications workers face in forming trade unions – especially in the ready-made garment sector. The issue has also drawn significant international pressure.

Currently, the law allows trade unions to be formed if 20% of a factory's workforce supports it. However, labour leaders are demanding that this threshold be lowered further. At the same time, the government has proposed amendments allowing a trade union to be formed if 20 workers in a factory wish to do so, with a cap of five trade unions per factory. Since this proposal emerged, factory owners have consistently voiced their objections in various forums.

Industry representatives argue that such changes could disrupt the production environment in factories. On the other hand, a section of labour leaders remains divided over the government's initiative.

Attempts to reach Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan for comment by phone were unsuccessful.