DHAKA:  Commerce Minister Faruk Khan Wednesday said the government has a plan to introduce trade union in all industries, including readymade garment sector, as pleas for TU right get louder in the wake of recent labour unrest.

"Initiatives will be taken in this regard soon, to be implemented in phases. But, enforcing strikes in the name of union at any time won’t be tolerated,”  he said.

The minister came up with the commitment while addressing as chief guest a seminar titled ‘Bangladesh-United States Trade Relation’ at a city hotel. The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) organized the seminar.
   
US Ambassador James F. Moriarty, who was also present at the meetnar as the guest of honour, conveyed US concern over the labour unrest in the RMG sector of Bangladesh, as they provide the single-largest market for the country`s apparel products.

He apprehended that the unrest might escalate if proper legal procedure is  not followed regarding the workers arrested following the recent violence in this sector.

“Export from Bangladesh will be increased if the agitation can be quelled,” said an optimistic US envoy.

In response to Moriarty, the Commerce Minister said both internal and external causes are responsible for the labour unrest in country’s garment industry. “The patrons of the incidents will not be spared,” he warned.

Referring to government’s firmness in ensuring due rights of the workers, Khan said, “The government has a plan to introduce trade union in all industrial sectors to ensure rights of the labourer section as per International Labour Organisation (ILO) and existing laws of the country."

Apart from infrastructural development, ‘One-stop Service’ should be introduced effectively if Bangladesh wants to get increased foreign investment, Moriarty suggested.

Dr. Ananya Raihan presented the keynote paper in the seminar, chaired by FBCCI president AK Azad.

BDST 1839 HRS SEP 15, 2010