The issues relating to labour rights, workplace safety, next national election and generalized system of preferences (GSP) facilities for Bangladeshi products are expected to dominate the bilateral talks between US secretary of state John Kerry and Bangladesh foreign
minister Dr Dipu Moni, according to sources.The meeting is scheduled to take place on June 25. Though not officially announced, The Independent has come to know from the sources that the US secretary of state will pay a short visit to Bangladesh on June 25. He will come to Dhaka from India and is scheduled to fly to Pakistan from Bangladesh after a few hours.
The US diplomat is also due to meet Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Opposition leader Khaleda Zia during his brief visit. He may also meet some representatives of civil society and different NGOs. The proposed Trade and Investment Cooperation Framework Agreement (TICFA) as well as
two memorandums of understanding on counterterrorism, and science and technology, are likely to be inked during the brief visit. Against the backdrop of the recent collapse of Rana Plaza in Savar, Kerry is likely to spend more time on the issues relating to labour rights in Bangladesh. He has already raised the issues during his last meeting with Dipu Moni in Washington last month. The US secretary of state is likely to urge Bangladesh to improve its fire and building safety inspections. He is also likely to ask for quick passage of labour law amendments.
On the issue of the coming national election, the US leader is set to call for a dialogue between all parties to find a mechanism that would ensure a free and fair poll. He will also ask political leaders to put an end to the ongoing political violence.
Bangladesh is preparing its responses regarding the issues of labour rights and election. “We’ll tell them what we have done and what we intend to do in these areas. The labour law amendments are expected to be passed in Parliament by June 30,” said a senior government official.
Bangladesh will argue for continuation of the GSP facilities for Bangladeshi products in the US market.
The government will tell Kerry that it is always open to fresh talks over the interim management that is to be formed to supervise the next election, and that all elections during the tenure of the current government had been conducted in a free and fair manner.
Bangladesh is also preparing its response regarding the Rohingya issue.
A senior government official told The Independent: “It might not be possible to discuss every issue in detail within such a short period of time. But Kerry’s visit is significant for us. It indicates that Bangladesh is important to Washington, just as other countries in South Asia are.”
Hillary Clinton, the previous US secretary of state, toured Dhaka in May 2012.
-With The Independent input
