Bangladesh must address human rights, labour issues for GSP Plus facility: EU delegation  | The Business Standard
Skip to main content
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
The Business Standard

Saturday
July 19, 2025

Sign In
Subscribe
  • Latest
  • Economy
    • Banking
    • Stocks
    • Industry
    • Analysis
    • Bazaar
    • RMG
    • Corporates
    • Aviation
  • Videos
    • TBS Today
    • TBS Stories
    • TBS World
    • News of the day
    • TBS Programs
    • Podcast
    • Editor's Pick
  • World+Biz
  • Features
    • Panorama
    • The Big Picture
    • Pursuit
    • Habitat
    • Thoughts
    • Splash
    • Mode
    • Tech
    • Explorer
    • Brands
    • In Focus
    • Book Review
    • Earth
    • Food
    • Luxury
    • Wheels
  • Subscribe
    • Get the Paper
    • Epaper
    • GOVT. Ad
  • More
    • Sports
    • TBS Graduates
    • Bangladesh
    • Supplement
    • Infograph
    • Archive
    • Gallery
    • Long Read
    • Interviews
    • Offbeat
    • Magazine
    • Climate Change
    • Health
    • Cartoons
  • বাংলা
SATURDAY, JULY 19, 2025
Bangladesh must address human rights, labour issues for GSP Plus facility: EU delegation 

Economy

TBS Report
19 July, 2022, 04:05 pm
Last modified: 19 July, 2022, 10:15 pm

Related News

  • UN rights office to open mission in Bangladesh; MoU signed
  • Human rights groups ask govt to keep investigating enforced disappearances
  • Police aware of upholding human rights in executing laws: IGP
  • Only a democratic country can ensure rights of its citizens: Ali Riaz
  • UCBD organises seminar on human rights, freedom of speech

Bangladesh must address human rights, labour issues for GSP Plus facility: EU delegation 

TBS Report
19 July, 2022, 04:05 pm
Last modified: 19 July, 2022, 10:15 pm
Bangladesh must address human rights, labour issues for GSP Plus facility: EU delegation 

The visiting European parliamentary committee on international trade has made it clear that Bangladesh needs to fix its human rights issues and must implement the labour roadmap to be eligible for the generalised system of preferences (GSP) plus scheme, a trade facility, once the country graduates from the LDC bloc.

"We have some serious concerns on human rights. Let me say that very basic international human rights conventions go together with accession to the GSP Plus regime," Heidi Hautala, chair of the delegation, said at an event titled "DCAB Talk" organised at the National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB).

She said the committee believes that adequate protection of labour rights can only lead to fundamental human rights.

The Business Standard Google News Keep updated, follow The Business Standard's Google news channel

"I want to emphasise that civil society must have adequate space for free expression and we pay great attention to the situation regarding extrajudicial detention and enforced disappearances. So this situation at the moment is not compatible with core human rights conditions under the GSP Plus," she added.

Focusing on the labour roadmap, Heidi Hautala said, "One year ago, your government committed itself to implementing a labour roadmap. We strongly welcome these major steps as the successful implementation of the roadmap will very much lead to your graduation process and subsequent accession to the GSP Plus regime."

"So I wish to stress that full and successful implementation of the roadmap is a clear precondition for any accession to the GSP Plus in the future," she added.

The delegation expressed concern over "reported delays" in putting the Labour Law and the Export Processing Zone (EPZ) Labour Law in full compliance with international standards.

"Compliance with standards should be ensured for all special economic and processing zones. We are aware of the important challenge this represents for your country and the EU has been fully supportive of this process," Heidi Hautala said.

"But as these are two fundamental requirements in order to successfully transition to GSP+ it would be urgent to anticipate deadlines for entry into force and to ensure full effective implementation," she added.

Referring to the delegation's meetings with government officials, she said, "I would like to express my delight that today in our discussion with the members of government we heard that there is more attention now being paid to accelerate this implementation."

On the child labour issue, she said, "EU has a zero-tolerance policy on child labour and the grouping attaches great importance to your (Bangladesh) commitment to fully eliminate child labour by 2025."

Expressing concerns over the Digital Security Act, she said, "The EU is concerned about parts of the application of the Digital Security Act; the consequences have a chilling effect on freedom of expression, notably in the case of journalists."

"I am very pleased to hear from the law minister that he has undertaken a process to amend the law and I think it's up to us from the European parliament side to make sure that the future amendment is in line with international standards," she added.

She also noted that the full implementation of labour law legislation also requires a well-functioning and independent judiciary system.

Among other conditionalities, GSP+ requires the full implementation of the UN anti-corruption convention, she reminded.

"In addition, I want to welcome the existence of the minimum wage in Bangladesh, but it must be set at a level so as to ensure a living wage across the economic sectors," she added.

While replying to a question on how satisfied the team is on the completion of the labour roadmap, she said, "There is a lot of satisfaction but now let's say the last step must be taken on the EPZ registration/legislation on child labour and what the government brings to the parliament on the review of the labour law is fully in line with the international standards."

Asked to comment on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's recent call to the western countries to give up the policy of imposing sanctions, she said "The EU is not proposing any sanction on Bangladesh. I think it's a misconception to blame the West for the situation we are in because indeed the root cause is that we had to defend peaceful international order in a situation of a serious violation of state sovereignty and independence."

Responding to a question on the scope of energy import from Russia by Bangladesh amid the global energy crisis,  Maximillian Krah, another EU delegation member, said, "From what I know is that we do not push you to join sanctions. This is your sovereign decision."

The EU is the largest export destination for Bangladeshi products. The export increased from 9 billion euros to 19 billion euros in 2019.

The EU has been providing duty-free quota-free access to Bangladesh. As Bangladesh graduates from the LDC, the facility will go away. However, the country can be eligible under the new privilege called GSP Plus but that will require stringent conditions, such as improving human rights and the labour rights situation.

The EU delegation is visiting Bangladesh to assess the country's situation. The delegation members also talked to employees' associations, trade unions and civil society organisations and visited a textile and a pharmaceutical factory to assess compliance levels before departing on 20 July.

EU Ambassador in Dhaka Charles Whitley was present on the occasion, which was moderated by DCAB President Rezaul Karim Lotus. 

Top News

Human Rights / European Parliament

Comments

While most comments will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive, moderation decisions are subjective. Published comments are readers’ own views and The Business Standard does not endorse any of the readers’ comments.

Top Stories

  • Infograph: TBS
    Dollar rate falling fast – what it means for the economy
  • Photo: Collected
    Thousands gather at Suhrawardy Udyan ahead of Jamaat rally
  • Infograph: TBS
    Click, wait, repeat: Digital land services struggle to deliver promised ease

MOST VIEWED

  • Obayed Ullah Al Masud. Sketch: TBS
    Islami Bank chairman resigns
  • Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and SpaceX Vice President Lauren Dreyer after a meeting at state guest house Jamuna on 18 July 2025. Photo: Focus Bangla
    SpaceX VP Lauren Dreyer praises Bangladesh's efficiency in facilitating Starlink launch
  • GP profit drops 31% in H1
    GP profit drops 31% in H1
  • Around 99% of the cotton used in Bangladesh’s export and domestic garment production is imported. Photo: Collected
    NBR withdraws advance tax on imports of cotton, man-made fibres
  • Governments often rely on foreign loans. Russia’s loans covered 90% of the Rooppur Nuclear Power plant project's cost. Photo: Collected
    Loan tenure for Rooppur plant extended 
  • Representational Photo: Collected
    Railway allocates special trains for Jamaat's national rally in Dhaka

Related News

  • UN rights office to open mission in Bangladesh; MoU signed
  • Human rights groups ask govt to keep investigating enforced disappearances
  • Police aware of upholding human rights in executing laws: IGP
  • Only a democratic country can ensure rights of its citizens: Ali Riaz
  • UCBD organises seminar on human rights, freedom of speech

Features

Jatrabari in the capital looks like a warzone as police, alongside Chhatra League men, swoop on quota reform protesters. Photo: Mehedi Hasan

19 July 2024: At least 148 killed as government attempts to quash protests violently

10h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

Curfews, block raids, and internet blackouts: Hasina’s last ditch efforts to cling to power

15h | Panorama
The Mymensingh district administration confirmed that Zamindar Shashikant Acharya Chowdhury built the house near Shashi Lodge for his staff. Photo: Collected

The Mymensingh house might not belong to Satyajit Ray's family, but there’s little to celebrate

16h | Panorama
Illustration: TBS

20 years of war, 7.5m tonnes of bombs, 1.3m dead: How the US razed Vietnam to the ground

1d | The Big Picture

More Videos from TBS

Leaders and activists have started coming to Jamaat's rally

Leaders and activists have started coming to Jamaat's rally

8m | TBS Today
Why is the Japanese 'extremely exposed' to foreigners?

Why is the Japanese 'extremely exposed' to foreigners?

12h | Others
Now is the time for Delhi to be generous towards Washington

Now is the time for Delhi to be generous towards Washington

1h | Others
NCP’s arrival turns Munshiganj vibrant with festivity

NCP’s arrival turns Munshiganj vibrant with festivity

16h | TBS Today
EMAIL US
contact@tbsnews.net
FOLLOW US
WHATSAPP
+880 1847416158
The Business Standard
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Sitemap
  • Advertisement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Comment Policy
Copyright © 2025
The Business Standard All rights reserved
Technical Partner: RSI Lab

Contact Us

The Business Standard

Main Office -4/A, Eskaton Garden, Dhaka- 1000

Phone: +8801847 416158 - 59

Send Opinion articles to - oped.tbs@gmail.com

For advertisement- sales@tbsnews.net