Cablegate: Bangladesh: Workers Rights in Epz's

This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.

UNCLAS DHAKA 004848

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE PASS USTR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ETRD ELAB BD USTR
SUBJECT: BANGLADESH: WORKERS RIGHTS IN EPZ'S

REF: STATE 172549

1. (SBU) On September 25, CDA presented demarche (reftel) to
Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reaz Rahman, who
expressed appreciation for USG concerns on workers rights but
reiterated BDG concerns that unfettered trade unionism could
politicize and undermine the most efficient industrial sector
in Bangladesh--the EPZ's. Rahman told CDA: "Just look at the
Chittagong port or any bank or state operated enterprise.
Unions have taken them over."

2. (SBU) Comment: We will repeat the demarche with other BDG
officials. Rahman is exceptionally unsympathetic because he
blames militant unionism for virtually destroying his
family's newspaper. The good news, however, is that the BDG
understands that we continue to monitor closely labor
conditions in the EPZ's.
CHAMMAS

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