Reference is made to Dr. Hameeda Hossain's article captioned: Garments Blame Game, published in The Daily Star on October 30.

The article has raised questions that relate directly to me and my recent comments, hence I feel it obligatory to respond.

Firstly I must thank Dr. Hossain for her detailed opinion on RMG. We fully appreciate her concern to ensure compliance of national laws and international standards that are applicable in Bangladesh. However, some of the international standards are not attainable for Bangladesh owing to many reasons. We also acknowledge the necessity of mutual understanding and cooperation between the workers and the entrepreneurs in building a healthy industry.

You would all appreciate that with the phasing out of the MFA and withdrawal of duty free access of our readymade garments to the USA market, our industry is going through a critical phase. It has come to our notice that some organisations are endeavouring to exploit the situation at the behest of vested interests. The activities of such organisations are destabilising and disrupting the business environment of our industry, which may result in us being driven out of the world market with catastrophic consequences for our economy.

These organisations carry out activities from various positions, mostly unavailable to public knowledge. We have tried giving some feedback to the government in this regard. While we try actively lobbying for our trade during our trips abroad, there are many anti lobby movements that happen behind closed doors. This is not exposed to the public. Our democracy, political instability, apparent fundamentalism, and our environment are issues that are unprofessionally and falsely used by our competitors in order to kill our competitive edge. All this is pretty closely felt and experienced by us involved with the process but can hardly be made public.

It has never been my intention to blame all NGOs working in Bangladesh. But I believe it is my responsibility as the representative of the millions of workers and entrepreneurs engaged in the industry to bring to the attention of all concerned the activities of a few organisations working in Bangladesh about whom we should be careful.

I do not find it appropriate to comment on the factual issues related to the incidents that took place at Savar and Kanchpur, save that we would also welcome a neutral and independent enquiry into these incidents. By the same token, I do believe that it is the responsibility of the government to conduct an inquiry into the activities of NGOs and unions active in the garments sector in order to ascertain and identify the few organisations working against the interests of the industry. We are confident that bona fide NGOs would find no reason to be concerned about any such inquiry.

I fully agree with Dr. Hossain asking us to acknowledge with frankness our own handicaps and points of weakness. To her comment on the maltreatment of the female worker in Kanchpur, I also voice my unity with her. BGMEA strongly believes in taking strong action against such an aggression. In this regard, an enquiry committee has been formed by us with a few trade union leaders. Violation of prescribed working hours, safety measures, pregnancy benefits, and all related laws of the country is not acceptable to BGMEA, and we have started a transparent campaign against all such activities. BGMEA has strongly supported establishment of a national forum for compliance which will attempt standardisation of a code of conduct with the Commerce Minister chairing it.

Dr Hossain's reference to the workers of Spectrum Sweaters not being paid is inaccurate. Taka 100,000 has been paid to the families of the deceased. Moreover, the figure of Euro 300,000 being donated by the buyers is also not correct. Rather it was BGMEA's proposal to build a trust fund for the workers of Spectrum funded by the buyers and BGMEA.

BGMEA did not blame INCIDIN and OXFAM in the press conference. It was a random comment made by a trade union leader. BGMEA rather acknowledges with gratitude the transparent support that OXFAM continues to provide to our trade. The minimum wage issue is discussable. BGMEA strongly maintains that regularity in payment of wages must be made. However, bonus still remains an optional offer(as per the laws of the country) as it depends on various factors related to the owner's financial capability.

Any issue relating to workers, in spite of its gravity and content is dealt appropriately by BGMEA. As a result, over 6,400 cases, major and minor, mainly between the owners and the workers, have been negotiated and settled by BGMEA arbitration committee over the last 15 years.

I believe, with detailed and constructive criticism, the industry definitely has a better chance of survival in the present world of globalisation and extreme competitiveness.

Annisul Huq is President, BGMEA.