Tasmiah Nuhiya Ahmed of DOT
[2] European Union Ombudsman’s Office has rejected the application to cancel Bangladesh’s GSP (preferential commercial benefits) facility in the European market. Four organizations working on labor rights have been asked by the EU’s Ombudsman office in the EU over the question of Bangladesh’s labor standards in the year 2016. [3] The EU Ombudsman’s Office dismissed the allegations against Bangladesh on March 24, saying, “The investigation done by Ombudsman office on the labor issues of Bangladesh has not found any such flaw. The steps that the European Commission has taken to improve the quality of working conditions of labor in Bangladesh and the way it is protecting communications are fine. The European Commission will take decision if required in the future”. [4] Foreign Minister said. AK Abdul Momen said, “We have learned the matter. I will talk to my colleagues regarding this”. [5] Dr. Rubana Huq, BGMEA president said, “The order of the European Union (EU) Ombudsman Office shall be helpful for Bangladesh,” reports Sarabangla.
[6] Meanwhile, diplomats from Dhaka and Brussels have reported that the order of the European Union (EU) Ombudsman’s office is good news for the overall economy, including the garment sector of Bangladesh.
[7] “The manner in which the European Commission is working with the government, owners, workers and civil society of Bangladesh, to improve the quality of labor and establish workers’ rights, is satisfactory. Therefore, the European Commission will be able to take decision in this regard at a later time”, they added further.