Concern Over Bangladesh's GSP Facilities To EU Markets

The European Union has raised apprehensions regarding human rights and labor rights issues in Bangladesh. Despite the country finalizing the National Action Plan on the Labor Sector (NAP) in 2021 and providing regular updates on the implementation progress every six months, concerns persist, particularly concerning freedom of association. Additionally, limited advancements have been noted in the realm of human rights.

These concerns were articulated in the EU's assessment report on the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (GSP) for the period 2020-2022, publicly released on November 21. The report specifies that preferences under the GSP may be revoked from any beneficiary in the event of serious and systematic violations of core human and labor rights conventions.

Several apparel exporters expressed unease about the EU's assessment report. While experts also found reasons for concern, apparel exporters' associations argue that there are currently no grounds for immediate worry.

The EU's GSP, by eliminating import duties, aims to assist developing countries in reducing poverty and generating employment while adhering to international values such as labor and human rights, environmental protection, climate preservation, and good governance. Currently, 65 countries export products to the EU's 27 member countries under three GSP arrangements: Standard GSP, GSP+, and EBA.

The report highlighted increased engagement with three GSP beneficiary countries—Bangladesh, Cambodia, and Myanmar—due to concerns raised by the UN, International Labor Organization (ILO), and civil society regarding deficiencies in human and labor rights.

It emphasized that preferences could be withdrawn in cases of serious and systematic violations of core human and labor rights conventions. The report cited the EU's partial and temporary withdrawal of Everything But Arms (EBA) preferences for Cambodia in February 2020, citing serious and systematic human rights violations in the country.

Regarding Bangladesh, the report expressed ongoing concerns, especially regarding freedom of association, anti-union discrimination, hindrances to trade union establishment and operation, occupational safety and health, labor inspection, and child labor and forced labor. It also noted limited progress in human rights, with persistent concerns about alleged torture, extrajudicial killings, enforced disappearances, deficiencies in freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, civil society space, and the application of the death penalty.

Mohammad Abdur Razzaque, chairman of the private research firm Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID), emphasized reasons for concern over the GSP facilities. He highlighted the EU's thorough investigative process, contrasting it with the U.S.'s quicker decision-making approach.