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Failure of the incumbent board of the apparel sector apex body - BGMEA -- to create ground for holding fresh election with an extended timeframe has given rise to discontent among a section of its members, insiders said.
Now the BGMEA members in a dilemma as to whether the board should be given further extension or necessary measures taken to resolve the issue, they added.
Earlier, the government on February 27 had extended the tenure for six months, from April 13 to October 12 this year, following a request made by the trade body, led by its president Faruque Hassan. However, the government made it clear that no further extension would be granted.
The BGMEA sought the extension on the plea of situation prevailing then in the readymade garment sector, labour situation and Ramadan, according to the letter.
The DTO under the commerce ministry also directed to form a three-member election board and three-member election appeal board as per Rule 14 of the Trade Organization Rules, 1994 on or before 90 days of the election that was scheduled for July 10 last.
Election schedule was to also be declared before 80 days of the election and charge to be handed over to the newly elected committee before 15 days of the expiry of the extended tenure.
"But none of the directives had met," a member said on condition of anonymity, adding that general members are now confused over the future of the next BGMEA election.
The DTO has no power to extend the tenure of any trade organization more than six months as per the current law.
If any trade organisation fails to form an election board within the stipulated time, the government shall appoint an administrator to run the day-to-day affairs of the said trade body, he said citing Section 14 of Trade Organisation Act-2022.
Meantime, the BGMEA's panel -- Forum on August 03 in a letter to the director general of Directorate of Trade Organisations (DTO) alleged that BGMEA president violating the conditions set in the extension letter neither constituted the election board and the election appeal board.
On several occasions, they requested the BGMEA president to convene a board meeting and take necessary actions for holding election, the letter signed by three of the directors of the present board namely Md Abdus Salam, Asif Ibrahim and Faisal Samad said.
They are president, secretary general and panel leader of Forum, a panel of BGMEA members.
Two panels -- Sammilita Parishad and Forum -- usually contested the BGMEA election.
They requested the DTO DG for taking appropriate steps in accordance with the law saying BGMEA president has not complied with the instructions regarding election.
When asked, Faisal Samad told the FE that the business situation is not good now and the BGMEA should focus on trade and business.
He further added that the 40th annual general meeting (AGM) of the trade body took place on Tuesday and the president did not attend the meeting which never happened in the history of the BGMEA.
Though he raised the issue of election, the meeting did not respond, he noted.
BGMEA president, however, could not be reached for comments despite repeated attempts.
Asking about BGMEA vice president Md Shahidullah Azim who attended the AGM declined to make any comment over the issue.
Talking to FE, a number of members said many of the BGMEA former leaders don't want election before the national election and there might be move to amend the existing law and further extend the tenure of the existing BGMEA board.