The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has called on the interim government to reconsider the “Bangladesh Labor (Amendment) Ordinance 2025”, improve the efficiency of the Chattogram Port instead of increasing port charges, and defer Bangladesh’s LDC graduation by at least three years in view of current economic realities.
Speaking at an urgent press conference held at the Nurul Quader Auditorium of the BGMEA Complex, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan expressed deep concern over several provisions of the newly approved Labor Amendment Ordinance, stating that some clauses—particularly those related to trade union formation, dual pension schemes, and the definition of workers—are inconsistent with the socio-economic realities of Bangladesh.
“These provisions, if implemented without practical adjustments, may create instability in the industrial sector, disrupt production, and severely affect Bangladesh’s global competitiveness,” he said. The BGMEA President urged the interim government to review the ordinance, keeping in mind the sustainability of industries and the country’s economic resilience.
The press conference was attended by BGMEA Senior Vice President Inamul Haque Khan (Babul), Vice Presidents Md. Rezwan Selim, Mizanur Rahman (Finance), and Md. Shihab Uddoza Chowdhury, as well as members of the BGMEA Board of Directors and various committee chairmen.
Leaders from other major trade bodies also joined the event, including Anwar-ul-Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), President of the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI); Mohammad Hatem, President of BKMEA; Md. Shahriar, President of BGAPMEA; Taskin Ahmed, President of DCCI; Mohammad Nazmul Hasan, Senior Vice President of LFMEAB; and Major General (Retd.) Md. Mostafizur Rahman, CEO of the Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI).
Trade leaders expressed strong reservations over the recent 41% increase in port tariffs, arguing that it would further raise industrial operational costs. They highlighted that port charges in local currency have already increased by 308% over the past four decades due to the devaluation of the Taka against the US dollar. Instead of raising charges, they urged the Chattogram Port Authority to focus on improving service efficiency.
The meeting concluded with a joint appeal to defer Bangladesh’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) status by at least three years, emphasizing that a premature transition could undermine export competitiveness and jeopardize the growth of the country’s manufacturing sector.
