IndustriALL Bangladesh president Nazrul Islam Khan has rejected the commerce minister Tofail Ahmed’s allegation that they had sent a letter to US government agencies complaining about malpractices in Bangladesh’s garment industry. Nazrul, who is senior leader of opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, also accused Tofail of trying to cover up his incompetence in reinstating US GSP by raising allegations of conspiracy.
Reacting to Tofail’s comment made on Sunday morning, Nazrul on Sunday night said the allegation was baseless and the minister had resorted to falsehood.
‘We did not send any letter to the US or anyone. He [Tofail] is trying to cover up his incompetence by raising allegations of conspiracy against Bangladesh’s RMG industry,’ Nazrul
said while talking to reporters at his residence before leaving for Geneva Sunday night.
Earlier on the day, Tofail in a press briefing alleged that Nazrul and former Sramik League general secretary Roy Ramesh Chandra had sent a malicious letter to US government agencies complaining about the malpractices in Bangladesh RMG industry.
Tofail said if he had not gone to the US, he would never have learnt that IndustriAll Bangladesh chief Nazrul Islam Khan, who is also a BNP standing committee member, and secretary Roy Ramesh Chandra, also an Awami League leader lodged complaints with the US.
Nazrul challenged the minister and said, ‘If he (Tofail) can prove that he had sent any such letter, he would accept any punishment. But if the minister cannot prove, he should seek apology for his falsehood.’
Nazrul said that he had sent a letter in 2007 to US trade union bodies, requesting them not to withdraw the trade privilege for Bangladeshi goods under the GSP in the US market.
The US authorities, however, eventually suspended the GSP facilities following the death of more than 1,100 workers in Rana Plaza building collapse and Tazreen Fashions fire.
Founded in 2012, IndustriAll Global Union represents around 50 million workers in the mining, energy and manufacturing sectors in 140 countries around the world.
Nazrul left for Geneva on Sunday night to attend executive board meeting of the organisation, to be held on Tuesday, and would return home on June 28.
-With New Age input
