The tumult stemming from the government change after more than 15 years has reached the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), an organisation of garment-sector entrepreneurs involved in generating most of the country’s export earnings.
incumbent leadership had not performed its duties “properly” amid the current situation, a group of RMG Exporters demanded “reform” of the BGMEA board and elections with a “corrected” voter list.
A number of members of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) have called for the resignation of the current president, SM Mannan Kochi, and his board of directors.
They described the March election as involving “unprecedented rigging” and are demanding a new election with a transparent voter list.
They made the demand at a press conference held under the banner of “General Members of BGMEA” at a hotel in the capital yesterday.
.Reading out a written statement, Inamul Haq Khan Bablu, a former BGMEA director and Md of Ananta Companies , said, “As the BGMEA has been controlled by vested interests for many years, its normal functioning is now in question.”
In the last BGMEA elections held on 9 March, SM Mannan Kochi came to power through unprecedented rigging and vote fraud with the help of his cadre forces,” he said, adding, “Former Member of Parliament Abdus Salam Murshedy, Awami League Secretary for Industry and Commerce Affairs Siddiqur Rahman, and Dhaka North City Corporation Mayor Atiqur Rahman assisted him.”
The last BGMEA election was contested by two panels – “Sammilita Parishad” and “Forum”. The SM Mannan Kochi-led Sammilita Parishad won all 35 directorships, which was an unusual outcome.
In the context of change, the garment sector is facing multifaceted challenges. But the initiative of the BGMEA president was not seen to deal with these, because he was in the field with political programmes,” said Faisal Samad.
“This important sector of the economy is not important to him. At the same time, BGMEA members do not know his current whereabouts,” he added.
Last15 years so many harresment by the previous government said Mesbah Ali, Managing Director of Waga Fashion Sweater Ltd.
We want to discuss the new board, make a interim board. After a few months they will prepare for new election said Faisal Samad,who was the Panel Leader, Forum BGMEA.
BGMEA Members, Asif Ibrahim,Ridwan Zahir Khan,Khan Monirul Islam, Arifur Rahman, Wasim Zakariah and many other were present at the press conference.
