Bangladesh Garments Manufactures Export Association

2. Name ID
K M Sazid Hasan 035
MD Rifat Anam 007
MD Parvez Rahman 045
MD Saiful Islam 011

3. Presentation on

4.  The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and
Exporters Association (BGMEA) is one of the largest
trade associations in the country representing the
readymade garment industry, particularly the
woven garments, knitwear and sweater sub-sectors
with equal importance. Starting its journey in 1983
today BGMEA takes care of an industry that is at
the backbone of Bangladesh’s economy. Since the
inception, BGMEA is dedicated to promote and
facilitate the apparel industry through policy
advocacy to the government, services to members,
ensuring workers’ rights and social compliance at
factories.

5.  BGMEA works with the vision to develop the RMG
industry of Bangladesh and the economy of the
country. Having such vision BGMEA chalked out the
following missions and its strategic direction is paved
accordingly –
 Firstly, to protect and promote the interests of the
industry; thus ensuring a sustained growth in the
foreign exchange earnings of the country.
 Secondly, BGMEA is committed to ensure all legitimate
rights and privileges of the garment workers.The
association also strives toward the betterment of the
society and environment.

6.  BGMEA started with only 12 members in
early 1980's and presently has around 4300
member factories. Around 40% of BGMEA
member factories are knitwear and sweater
manufactures, and the rest 60% are woven
garment manufactures. BGMEA member
factories account for 100% woven garment
exports of the country and more than 95%
of sweater exports, while around half of the
light knitwear exports are made by them.

7.  BGMEA is being run by a 35-member elected
Board of Directors.The Board of Directors is
elected for a two-year term. SevenVice
Presidents having important portfolios, along
with a secretariat of experienced officials,
assists the President in formulating and
executing vital policies and programs of the
organization. The President is the highest
executive authority of the association.The
Board of Directors takes assistance from
different Standing Committees headed by a
Chairman and composed of members

8. having vast experience in the related fields.
Strict adherence to democratic norms and
code of conduct are being maintained in the
BGMEA elections, which has been regarded
as a trend setter in trade body elections of
Bangladesh for its pre-election projection
caucus and election-day discipline.

9.  • Policy advocacy and dialogues for sooth
functioning of trade and industries.
 • Issue Utilization Declaration (UD) and
Utilization Permission (UP) as Entrusted by
the Government.
 • Lead role in maintaining harmonious
industrial relationship.
 • Keep members abreast on contemporary
global business trend.

10.  • Organizes Bangladesh Apparel &Textile
Exposition (BATEXPO) since 1989 and the
Chittagong Fabric, Apparel andTextile
Exposition (CAFAXPO) since 2003.
 • Organizes trade missions to explore the new
markets and to facilitate trade in existing
markets.
 • Organizes seminars for recommending on
key policies.
 •Takes part in bilateral and multilateral trade
negotiations.

11.  • Follows a unique model in skill development:
train the poor people living in the distressed
areas, utilizing the idle capacity of Government’s
technical training institutes and this address the
skill shortage of the industry.
 • Job placement program for the people-with-
disabilities .
 • Undertook program to enhance productivity &
quality at factory and worker level.

12.  • Regularly monitors member factories to
check compliance.
 • Runs a Social compliance improvement
project to improve the compliance
standard.
 • BGMEA organizes training for the
member factories on social and
environmental standards.

15. BGMEA University of
Fashion &Technology
(BUFT)
• Produces technically
competent human
resource for the
garment industry.
• Offers short and long
courses in apparel
manufacturing, fashion
design & technology,
and merchandising.
• Has collaborations
with the London
College of Fashion, UK;
Nottingham Trent
University, UK; and the
Niederrhein University,
Germany.

16.  Ensuring green & clean production and conserving
the nature & its resources are one of the most
priority areas of work for BGMEA. BGMEA has been
making relentless efforts to motivate, guide and
support its members to become more responsive
toward the environment through energy efficient
production, sustainable use of natural resources
and green building. BGMEA has been running
several programs with partners like IFC, SEDF to
assist the member factories toward energy efficient
and cleaner production.

17.  • BGMEA recognizes the fundamental rights of the
workers, particularly access to healthcare facilities.
On this spirit BGMEA runs 12 Health Centers for the
garment workers and their families, provide pre –
medical services and medicines at free of cost.
 • Besides, it run awareness program on HIV/ AIDS,
tuberculosis, reproductive health and the use of
contraceptive devices.
 • In addition to this, BGMEA runs a full-fledged
hospital for workers in Chittagong.
 • Another hospital for workers is under construction
at Mirpur in Dhaka.

18.  BGMEA undertakes a number of regular activities
and projects to ensure workers rights, social and
environmental compliance and welfare.
 Implementation of the tri-partite agreement
among the workers, factory owners and
government authorities has achieved a highest
success rate, among others, of paying minimum
wages, appointment letters and maternity benefit.
 •The Group Insurance scheme for the garment
workers and staffs has been made mandatory.

19.  • Provides arbitration facilities to the garment
workers at free of cost.
 • BGMEA worker fairs annually.
 • Building Code has been made mandatory for
all member units.
 • Conduct regular fire drills and fire safety
training program in member factories.

20.  • BGMEA has started food rationing
program for workers in August 2009.
 • Runs skill development programs for the
garment industry through 34 training
centers in different regions of the country.

21.  The “Better Work Program” with ILO is
 underway for its operation in Bangladesh.
Expected benefits should include improved
reputation of the Bangladesh RMG sector,
reduction of audits, unified code of
conduct, labor peace; and productivity &
quality improvement.

22.  BGMEA operates five schools for the workers
children and provides books and study
materials at free of cost. BGMEA has been
providing stipends to the meritorious children
of workers.
 BGMEA organized music talent hunt program
(GORBO) twice for RMG workers.This program
aims to provide the workers a platform where
they can discover their talents and make
themselves motivated.