Thursday, December 12, 2024

GSP withdrawal for Bangladesh under consideration: US

Decision on next steps by June
The United States on Thursday said withdrawal of Generalised System of Preferences facility for Bangladesh was under consideration and the decision on it would be announced by the end of June.
‘All options remain under consideration, including possible suspension, limitation or withdrawal of GSP benefits,’ said Lewis Karesh, who handles labour issues for the US Trade Representative’s office.
‘The administration will announce a decision on next steps in the GSP review of Bangladesh by the end of June,’ he told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The US urged action by the Bangladesh authorities to improve labour rights following a massive factory collapse at Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka on April 24.
After a call by US unions, the Barack Obama’s administration in January launched a review on whether to keep Bangladesh in the GSP, which provides duty-free access for about 5,000 goods to the US.
The review was under way when Rana Plaza, an eight-storey garment factory, crumbled and killed 1,130 people, mostly garment workers, despite concerns expressed previously by workers over the building’s integrity.
Senator Robert Menendez, chairman of the committee, sounded supportive on the suspension of Bangladesh. He noted that the GSP did not cover textiles, which were by far the South Asian nation’s largest export to the United States.
‘While only a small fraction of Bangladesh’s exports would be affected, given ongoing violations of the GSP workers’ right criteria, GSP suspension would send a strong signal that the United States is serious about protecting workers and improving workplace safety,’ Menendez said.
‘No one will want to wear a piece of clothing made in Bangladesh if it’s on the blood of workers,’ Menendez said.
But Robert Blake, the assistant secretary of state for South Asia, said that Bangladesh had been responsive to appeals by the United States, saying that the country had allowed the registration of 27 trade unions since September.
He said Bangladesh has given assurances its parliament will pass amendments this month to its labour law to address freedom of association and worker safety. But he added, ‘There’s a great deal of corruption and governance challenges that still need to be met.’
‘Our hope is that Bangladesh will seize the current moment to strengthen labour rights and improve working conditions. This administration wants to see Bangladesh succeed,’ Blake said.
Since the Rana Plaza disaster, more than 40 companies — most from Europe — have signed on to an agreement that would include independent monitoring of factory conditions and a stronger role for labour unions.
But only three US companies have joined, with US retail giants Walmart and Gap opposed.
Blake said that the decision to enter the accord was up to each company but that the US government has asked firms ‘to carefully examine what they can do to support improved working conditions in Bangladesh.’
‘Had there been a union representative on the ground at Rana Plaza, that tragedy would not have happened,’ Blake told the hearing.
Senator John McCain cautioned against such hasty US action, warning it could ratchet up unemployment in an impoverished country.
But Celeste Drake, a trade and policy specialist at the AFL-CIO, was scathing about Bangladesh’s failure to respond to a string of deadly industrial accidents.
‘What’s the body count that you need to really make changes?’ she told lawmakers. ‘We are well beyond what anyone would need to see as evidence that the government’s very feeble efforts and the voluntary compliance programs of the corporations simply are not working.’
The AFL-CIO filed the petition seeking withdrawal of GSP benefits in 2007, which was expedited late last year amid concern from US lawmakers over deteriorating labour rights and the April 2012 killing of prominent labour activist, Aminul Islam — a case that has not been solved.
Eric Biel, the Labour Department’s acting associate deputy undersecretary for international affairs, said there currently were less than 100 government inspectors in Bangladesh to monitor between 4,000 and 5,000 factories that employ some 4 million people, 80 per cent of them women.
Bangladesh’s ambassador to the US Akramul Qader, who attended the hearing but did not testify, defended his government’s record, saying it had improved worker rights and increased the minimum wage. Authorities have closed 20 unsafe factories since the Rana Plaza disaster, he said.
‘We are trying our best,’ Qader said.
While the GSP covers less than 1 per cent of Bangladesh’s nearly $5 billion in exports to the US and doesn’t include the lucrative garment sector, it could deter American companies from investing in Bangladesh and sway a decision by European Union, which is also considering withdrawing GSP privileges. EU action could have a much bigger economic impact, as its duty-free privileges cover garments.

-With New Age input

Related News

Walton receives orders amounting Tk 350 crore at ATS Expo

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Walton received orders worth around Tk 350 crore from various local and foreign companies at the “Advanced Technology Solution-ATS Expo 2024”, the country’s sole industrial expo organised by tech-giant Walton. SM Mahbubul Alam, managing director of Walton Hi-Tech Industries, provided the disclosure at the event’s closing ceremony. The three-day expo ended ... Read more

Big price drop on Walton desktops, extra 10% off for online orders

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited, the leading technology product manufacturing and marketing company in Bangladesh, has come up with a huge price drop on its desktop computers. This attractive price drop is applicable on the company’s AMD Ryzen™ processor-powered Avian series desktops. Under this, customers are enjoying a minimum price drop of ... Read more

bKash wins Mastercard Excellence Awards

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com bKash, the largest mobile financial service (MFS) provider in Bangladesh, recently won an award at the “Mastercard Excellence Awards” in recognition of its exceptional contributions to advancing financial inclusion and fostering a robust digital economy. The MFS provider was awarded by the US-based digital payment provider in the digital business category ... Read more

Dhaka resident buys Marcel fridge, wins car

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Anisur Rahman, a resident of Uttarkhan, Dhaka, became the first lucky winner of a brand-new car under Marcel’s Digital Campaign Season-21, after purchasing a Marcel refrigerator. This campaign offers customers a chance to win a free car or assured gifts with the purchase of Marcel refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and ... Read more

Banglalink teams up with Vivo to provide special data deals for youth

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Banglalink, the country’s innovative digital operator, has partnered with vivo to launch a data offer specifically designed for tech-savvy youth. This collaboration aims to provide more convenient access to various digital services and exclusive content. Aligned with the ‘Youth’s Choice Smartphone’ proposition, Banglalink is offering 18GB of free data with the ... Read more

Emirates adjudged Best Airline in the World at the ULTRAs 2024 Awards

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Emirates has once again been honored with the title of ‘Best Airline in the World’ at the esteemed ULTRAs 2024 Awards. Recognized by thousands of travelers worldwide, the airline stood out for its outstanding products, innovative services, and exceptional value-for-money experiences. Thierry Aucoc, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations in Europe ... Read more

Remittance rises in Oct, SOBs log larger share

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Remittance inflow to Bangladesh increased by more than 21 per cent in October compared with that in the same month in the past year, as expatriates favoured official channels, mainly state-owned banks, following a significant political shift in the country on August 5. Bangladesh Bank data showed that remittance inflows reached ... Read more

Oppo celebrates tenth anniversary in Bangladesh with O Fans festival

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Emphasising celebration and appreciation, OPPO, a leading global technology brand, is excited to announce its SUPER OFFER as part of the ‘O Fans Festival’ to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Bangladesh. The festival theme, “SUPER OFFER,” highlights unforgettable experiences for its dedicated fans through exclusive prizes and substantial super discounts on ... Read more

Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Council launched

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com A new think tank, Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Council (BTTC), has started its journey in a bid to create a network of professionals and businesses to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in the local travel, tourism and hospitality sector. The council held its first meeting at a hotel in the capital ... Read more

Ethiopian airlines set to touch Dhaka’s runway

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa and part of the Star Alliance, will begin operations in Bangladesh next Sunday with its first flight on the new Addis Ababa-Dhaka route. The airline will provide five direct flights each week, giving Bangladeshi travelers access to over 155 global destinations, including major cities ... Read more

Unilever’s 15th edition of BizMaestros launches Nov 3

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com The 15th edition of BizMaestros-UFLP, the flagship business competition of Unilever Bangladesh, embodying the “Thrill of Real Business”, is all set to begin on November 3. As a leading player in the FMCG sector, Unilever Bangladesh has been at the forefront of skill development initiatives for over six decades, establishing BizMaestros ... Read more

Banglalink introduces affordable 4G Phone in partnership with Symphony

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Banglalink and Symphony have joined forces to launch the “My First 4G Phone” campaign to make 4G technology more accessible and affordable. Through this campaign, they seek to bridge the digital divide by offering high-quality 4G phones at an unbeatable price, empowering more people to benefit from fast, reliable internet connectivity.The ... Read more

Bashundhara Toiletries introduces “Alora 2in1” Hair & Body Wash: first ever in Bangladesh

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Bashundhara Toiletries announced the launch of “Alora 2-in-1” Hair and Body Wash, an innovative product designed to simplify your daily care routine. As Bangladesh’s first 2-in-1 solution for both hair and skin, Alora offers a unique blend of premium ingredients that cleanse, nourish, and revitalize. “Alora 2-in-1” is formulated with two ... Read more

350cc Royal Enfield set for Bangladesh launch on October 21

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Ifad Motors, the manufacturer and sole distributor of Royal Enfield motorcycles in Bangladesh, is gearing up to launch the iconic motorcycle brand in the country on Monday (21 October). Four models will be introduced: Bullet, Meteor, Hunter, and Classic and the bikers will have 12 different colour options at competitive prices ... Read more

Luxury car sales slow to a near-stop

Market players blame economic and political uncertainty Jagaran Chakma Sales of luxury sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have been almost nil since July this year as customers have reined in spending amid the ongoing economic downturn and sudden political changeover in Bangladesh. According to various market insiders, sales have fallen by about 95 percent ... Read more

realme 12: The Speed Dominator launched

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com realme has unveiled its latest handset, the realme 12, in Bangladesh featuring SUPERVOOC charging, fluid performance and photographic prowess. This new device sets unprecedented standards with the ‘Born for Speed’ philosophy in the mid-range segment, reads a press release. At the core of the realme 12 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, ... Read more

TECNO mobile Bangladesh wins best retailer award 2024

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com TECNO Mobile Bangladesh has been awarded the title of the best retailer of mobile handsets at the prestigious Bangladesh retail congress . This honour is a testament to our unwavering focus on enhancing consumer satisfaction and convenience. We believe that our consumers are at the heart of our success and are ... Read more

Mastercard hold technology conference 2024

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Mastercard recently organised the “Mastercard Tech Conference Q4, 2024” at a city hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with participants from various banks and financial institutions. Zakia Sultana and Sohail Alim, Directors at Mastercard, Bangladesh, inaugurated the session. Munish Jairath, Director of Technology Account Management, Vageesh Raghavendra, Manager of Technology Account Management, and ... Read more

Stellar performers in Bangladesh travel, tourism and hospitality are honoured

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com The recognition programme, first of its kind in the country, was organised by the travel and tourism publication the Bangladesh Monitor. The programme is supported by Prime Bank PLC, a private-sector financial institution whose commitment to the industry’s growth is unwavering. Online travel agency BuyTickets, travel technology provider Sabre, and tea ... Read more

Businesses urge steps on law and order

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Business leaders on Saturday sought better business climate in the country and said that issues like law and order situation, rising interest rates and other macroeconomic challenges must be addressed as these factors have impacted the economy negatively. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Current state of the economy and outlook of ... Read more