Today (3 May 2003) a delegation of the Make Trade Fair Alliance met Mr. Sohel Ahmed, Secretary to the Ministry of Commerce and submitted a policy proposal regarding Bangladesh RMG sector for the upcoming EU conference on textile in Brussels (5-6 May 2003). The Make Trade Fair Alliance called on the government to address concerns of the ready made garments (RMG) sector from a long term perspective considering the interests of both the workers and manufacturers. The alliance members propose that along with the move for relaxation of Rules of Origin in EU under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), the alliance members emphasize that the government need to advocate in favor of building backward linkage industry and ensuring workers benefits from trade.

To safe guard workers share on trade, the alliance members propose that in case of any export/market access gained for the RMG sector, the government should earmark 5 percent of the net export earnings exclusively for the workers welfare. This will ensure that the benefit of trade reaches the workers. On behalf of the Make Trade Fair Alliance, Selina Shelly, Country Representative, Oxfam (GB) Bangladesh, Shirin Akhter, Executive Director, Karma Jibi Nari and Ratan Sarkar, Executive Director, INCIDIN Bangladesh handed over the policy proposal to the Secretary of Commerce at his office.

The Make Trade Fair Alliance stress that the government needs to look at the issue of market access linked with the issue of livelihood security of workers. The policy proposal was developed through a rapid assessment with the RMG entrepreneurs and a consultation meet with the trade union leaders of the RMG sector. To finalize the policy proposal of the Make Trade Fair Alliance, a consultation meet was organized by INCIDIN Bangladesh with the civil society actors. Among others, Professor Abul Barkat, General Secretary, Bangladesh Economic Association, Selina Shelly, Country Representative, Oxfam (GB) Bangladesh, Ratan Sarkar, Executive Director, INCIDIN Bangladesh, Nasimul Ahsan, Advocacy Chief, INCIDIN Bangladesh, Mr. Faruq Hasan, Policy Analyst of BRAC, Ahmed Tazmeen of North South University, Abul Hossain, President, BGWEF, Amirul Haq Amin, President, Jatio Garment Sramik Oikko Parishad, Ziaul Haq Mukta of Action Aid Bangladesh, Shahidul Islam, Reporter, The News Today participated in the discussion.

The Make Trade Fair Alliance underscores that the government can play a vital role in making sure that the workers and the development activists see that their concerns are reflected in the policy proposals at home and at global forums. This will create a common interest of the labor, business and the third sector to work together with the government, and enable the government to attain its objectives both nationally and internationally.