BGMEA: Time for a change, members demand action
The Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), one of the backbones of the country's export-driven garment industry, finds itself at a crossroads.
Following the failure to control mismanagement in the sector and ongoing labour unrest, the government dissolved the BGMEA board, appointing Vice Chairman of the Export Development Bureau, Anwar Hossain, as the administrator. This decision has sparked mixed reactions from members and former leaders, many of whom view this as a golden opportunity for much-needed reforms within the association.
The dissolution has reignited calls for electoral reforms, particularly with regards to the voting rights of genuine exporters. Many members feel that in recent elections, the voices of actual exporters were overshadowed by political interference and behind-the-scenes deals between election panels.
A call for reform
BGMEA’s election process traditionally pits two panels—the Sammilita Parishad (Combined Council) and the Forum—against each other. In the last election, the Sammilita Parishad, led by SM Mannan (Kochi), secured a majority with 35 directorships for the 2024-26 term. However, the Forum panel has since alleged that the election process was flawed.
"The last election was far from fair," said Anwarul Islam Chowdhury Parvez, a former BGMEA president.
"Political influence prevented members from raising their concerns, and as a result, the association was left without strong leadership. This leadership vacuum became glaringly obvious during the recent labor unrest, leading to suffering for garment exporters," he said.
After the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, SM Mannan fled the country, leaving BGMEA in disarray. Khandaker Rafiqul Islam was elected as the new president, but the board was eventually dissolved due to its inability to manage the escalating labour issues.
Now, many are calling for electoral reforms to ensure that the association genuinely represents the interests of exporters.
Expectations from the administrator
With an administrator in place, there is renewed hope for transparency and fair representation. Rashid Ahmed Hossaini, General Secretary of the Forum, stated, "The last board was elected with fake voters under an unelected government. We expect the new administrator to fix the flawed voter list and ensure that only genuine exporters participate in the next election."
Khan Monirul Alam (Shubho), Managing Director of Fashion.com Limited, echoed these sentiments. "Having participated in the last two BGMEA elections, I've seen firsthand how votes were rigged. The last election was worse than anything I've witnessed in national politics," he said. "This is an opportunity for BGMEA to start afresh and regain the trust of the industry."
There is also widespread concern about "fake voters"—members who no longer operate garment factories yet retain voting rights. Many feel that eliminating these voters is key to restoring integrity to the election process. "Around 700 voters on the list no longer have operational factories. We need to remove them to elect leaders who truly represent the industry," said Anwarul Islam Chowdhury Parvez.
Members demand timely elections
While many members are relieved that the board was dissolved, they are also urging the government to hold elections within the stipulated timeframe. BGMEA member Fazle Shamim Ehsan warned, "If elections are delayed beyond the four-month deadline, the sector will continue to suffer. The administrator cannot negotiate on behalf of exporters, and prolonged delays will damage the industry."
Why the board was dissolved
The Ministry of Commerce cited multiple reasons for dissolving the BGMEA board, including the flawed reconstitution of the board after SM Mannan’s departure and the inability of the new leadership to manage the ongoing labour unrest. However, many insiders believe there were other factors at play. "The board was dissolved under pressure from the Forum and other stakeholders who were dissatisfied with the election process," said a BGMEA member who wished to remain anonymous.
A former director also expressed hope that the new administrator will address long-standing grievances. "There was pressure to elect handpicked members as president and allow fake voters to remain. Now we hope the administrator will clean up the voter list and ensure a free and fair election."
Looking ahead
As the industry grapples with these changes, BGMEA members are hopeful that the association will emerge stronger, with a leadership that truly represents their interests. "This is a turning point for BGMEA. If we can ensure a transparent election and elect the right leaders, we can finally move forward," said one member.
The next few months will be critical for the future of BGMEA. With an administrator in place and the prospect of electoral reform on the horizon, members are cautiously optimistic that the association will once again become a true representative of the country's garment exporters, helping the sector regain its footing in a challenging global market.
