Garment orders increasing
Work orders from international buyers are picking up with the return of political stability in Bangladesh after the January 5 national elections, exporters said. Garment makers aim to achieve the export growth target at the end of the year, given there are no further political upheavals. For more see Daily Star, 2014-05-07
PM's relief fund to merge with Rana Plaza package
For instance, as per ILO convention 121, a dead worker's family was supposed to receive Tk 29 lakh as compensation. So, if they have already received Tk 10 lakh from the prime minister's fund, they can expect to be given another Tk 19 lakh from the Rana Plaza Trust Fund. For more see Daily Star, 2014-05-06
Garment industrial park: economists against govt. guarantee for foreign loan
The country’ leading economists have opposed a proposal of the apparel manufacturers seeking sovereign guarantee from the government against foreign loan for setting up a garment industrial park in Munshiganj. For more see new age, 2014-05-07
Mahin Group shells out $50m for expansion
Mahin Group, a leading local garment and fabrics maker, plans to spend $50 million by 2015 for expansion to meet the growing demand from the international retailers for quality products at competitive prices. The group will set up a new yarn dyeing unit at a cost of $20 million and a spinning mill with $30 million in the next one year. For more see Daily Star, 2014-05-07
Demand for increasing process from buyers
Physicians for Social Responsibility, Bangladesh (PSR, B) and Bangladesh Paribesh Andolon (Bapa) jointly organised the discussion on 'Safe Workplace and Health Environment of RMG Workers' at the National Press Club auditorium in the city. They also demanded of the foreign buyers to increase price of apparel items to help Bangladesh's garment makers meet the safety related compliances and workers' enhanced wages. For more see Financial Express, 2014-05-07
21 RMG factories identified for shutdown
The two foreign inspection agencies have prescribed closure of another six garment factories, to go with the 16 already shut down, for structural flaws. The Accord on Fire and Building Safety, a platform of 150 retailers mainly European, advised the closing of Sadaf Fashions, Daelim Textile, Angela Fashions and Ali Apparels. For more see Daily Star, 2014-05-04
Workers protest torture of union leaders
Workers and employees of a apparel unit at East West Industrial Park continued their work abstention for the second consecutive day protesting alleged tortures and intimidation by the park union leaders. More than 1,000 workers and employees of the factory also laid a siege to the Labour Welfare Centre in Tongi and held a rally in front of it around noon. For more see New Age, 2014-05-07
Govt to offer 50 pc subsidy on freight charges to boost handloom and textile exports
The government to boost its MSME (micro, small and medium enterprises) products in international markets has decided to give up to 50 percent subsidy to exporters on total freight charges paid on good shipped through ports outside the State. For more see YNFX, 2014-05-07
Survey: Most RMG workers happy with workplace safety
According to the survey conducted by Democracy International (DI) and funded by USAID and UKAID, more than 80% of the respondents said the working conditions at their factories were safe. Over 60% said they had been receiving periodic pay raise and their working hours were fair. For more see Dhaka Tribune, 2014-05-07
BoI loses authority over textiles sector
The regulatory authority of the textiles sector has been taken off from Board of Investment (BoI) and placed with the Ministry of Textiles and Jute. At a regular meeting, the cabinet made the decision, saying that the textiles department of the ministry will look into the regulatory matters of the sector from now on. For more see Dhaka Tribune, 2014-05-07
Practice of 'undercutting' saps RMG of bargaining power
Many garment exporters undercut their competitors at home. This has been strengthening the position of the buyers, President of BGMEA (Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association) Atiqul Islam told the FE. For more see Financial Express, 2014-05-07
