DHAKA: Bangladesh government and garment exporters have finally stepped in to address the alleged repression of labour activists after five leading apparel buyers pulled out from the Dhaka Apparel Summit that begins on Saturday.

H&M, Inditex (Zara), C&A, Next and Tchibo, which account for billions of dollars in annual garment purchases from Bangladeshi manufacturers, announced early this week that they would not participate in the summit as a mark of protest against the arrest and harassment of workers.

Ethical Trading Initiative, an alliance of companies, trade unions and non-governmental organisations to promote worker rights across the globe, has also withdrawn, as has the only scheduled speaker from a union.

The development is a major embarrassment for the government and the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the organiser, which is gearing to hit US$50 billion in exports by 2021 and eyeing to take over from China as the largest garment exporter in the world.

The event, which is the second of its kind, was organised to highlight the achievements of the garment sector over the years. It is scheduled to be held at the capital’s Sonargaon Hotel on Saturday.

In December last year, more than 1,600 workers from a number of garment factories in Ashulia, known as a hub of about 350 of the most compliant garment units, were suspended for their alleged involvement in demonstrations over pay hike.

At least 34 union leaders and workers were arrested and detained, many for over eight weeks, despite the absence of any evidence of wrongdoing, said Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC), International Labour Rights Forum and Worker Rights Consortium in a statement.

Furthermore, the police recently closed down several trade union offices, the statement said.

While most of the detainees were recently released on bail, in response to international pressure, they continue to face criminal charges that carry the potential of long jail sentences and must make frequent court appearances, in some cases nine times per month.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2017