EU wants full implementation of labor roadmap for trade facility

The European Parliament’s delegation on international trade on Tuesday said that the block wants full implementation of Bangladesh government’s commitment to implement a Labor Roadmap.

“We want the full and successful implementation of the Roadmap as a clear precondition for our further trade relations,” said Heidi Hautala, MEP, head of the delegation.

She was speaking in a ‘DCAB Talk’ with the European Parliament’s Committee on international trade held at Jatiya Press Club on Tuesday, UNB reports.

Maximilian KRAH, Charles Whiteley, ambassador and Head of Delegation of the European Union to Bangladesh also spoke in the function.

Rezaul Karim Lotus, president, Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) moderated the programme.

The EU delegation also included Members of the European Parliament (MEP) Jose Manuel GARCIA-MARGALLO, Sven SIMON, Agnes JONGERIUS and Jordi CANAS PEREZ.

“We note with concern reported delays in putting the labor law and the EPZ Labor Law in full compliance with international standards. Compliance with standards should be ensured for all special economic and processing zones,” said Heidi Hautala.

The EU has been fully supportive of this process. But as these are two fundamental requirements in order to successfully transition to GSP-plus, it would be urgent to anticipate deadlines for entry into force and to ensure full effective implementation. No delay should be acceptable, she said.

The EU delegation discussed with the government on Bangladesh’s status as a beneficiary of the EU’s Everything But Arms (EBA) trade preference scheme and GSP-plus accession through which all Bangladeshi exports can enter the EU duty- and quota-free facility.

Bangladesh must be proud of its economic development and expected graduation from LDC status and EBA trading which is opening the way for the GSP-plus era, they said.