Bangladesh is now at crossroads and it will be a ‘gross failure’ if the people of Bangladesh were not given a free and fair choice during the elections, a member of the visiting British All Party Parliamentary Group said on Monday. “Citizens of Bangladesh really value their elections. They want election. It is the duty of politicians to give them a choice – a fair and free choice. Bangladesh is at crossroads and it would be a gross failure if the people of Bangladesh are not given that choice at the time the elections come around,” ruling Conservative Party Nick de Bois told a press conference at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel on Monday.
The All Party Parliamentary Group is in Bangladesh to asses the situation in RMG sector in Bangladesh. They will submit their report to parliament as well as Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia. The report is expected to be submitted at the end of this month.
With regard to RMG sector in Bangladesh, Bois said that Bangladesh needed support, not sanction and the international brands should come forward in support of the RMG sector.
On the election, the group chair Anne Main said, “I am going to be very harsh. When we stood there in the hospital, not one person raised with me whether or not if there is this form of election or that form of election. They just want political parties to care more about people than they care about political process.”
“And, I feel there should be some sense here,” she added.
On the future RMG, the members of group were of the opinion that the road ahead was not easy and it would require a long-term strategy to address the problems in this sector.
They also said that the buyers needed to shoulder more responsibilities in resolving the problems in the sector to avert tragedies like Rana Plaza and Tazreen Fashion.
The British people are prepared to pay little extra for their cloths made in Bangladesh, but it would have to be made sure that the additional money goes to the right people, they added. “We know there is election due but one of the messages that comes loud and clear to us that whoever is leading the next government and one after that and one after that Bangladesh needs a strategy – a long-term strategy- that does not change with the wheels of fortune,” said Main.
“It is a sad day on occasion when we talked to people and it is not just the businesses, it is some of the workers and there is a not of lot of confidence that there is a political willingness to sit round the table together and change life for better of the people,” she said.
Simon Danczuk, a Labour MP, said, “What we need to do is to increase minimum wage. An idea I was told is supplementary salary where international brands pay a little bit more to the workers in the factory where they sourcing their products. We need to sit down and have a look at it.”
Another Labour MP, Jonathon Reynolds said, “We all want to see wages and conditions of people making these garments to improve and the challenges what is the best way to do that.”
To a question, Bois said that showing willingness was not enough, rather action was necessary. About the report that would be submitted Main said, “It may not be easy reading for some.”
The All Party Parliamentary Group met Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Leader of the Opposition Khaleda Zia and other stakeholders during their visit.
-With The Independent input
