Cablegate: Gsp Petition: Bangladesh Concerned
VZCZCXYZ0000
PP RUEHWEB
DE RUEHKA #0797 2101207
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 281207Z JUL 08
FM AMEMBASSY DHAKA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 7128
INFO RUCPDOC/DEPT OF COMMERCE WASHINGTON DC PRIORITY
RUEHC/DEPT OF LABOR WASHDC PRIORITY
UNCLAS DHAKA 000797
SIPDIS
EEB FOR STEVE RHEE
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ELAB ECON ETRD PHUM PREL BG
SUBJECT: GSP PETITION: BANGLADESH CONCERNED
REF: 77749
(U) On July 27, Acting Pol-Econ Counselor met with Samia
Anjum, Senior Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs (MFA) Americas and Pacific Wing, to convey reftel
points. We noted Bangladesh,s strides in improving labor
conditions and urged continued progress with the ultimate
goal of full permanent rights of association and collective
bargaining in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ), including in
private EPZs. Ms. Anjum promised to share the concerns with
the appropriate officials in the MFA. We also discussed
further steps that might be taken, including meeting with
officials from the Ministry of Commerce to underscore the
message.
Pasi