RMG sector is evolving into the largest employer of workers .But , workers’ wages, other benefits and welfare needs are not increasing consistently . In the latest incident , at least thirty people, including journalists who were on the spot ,were injured as nearly five thousand workers of three garments factories clashed with police engaged in maintaining order , at Kalurghat industrial area. The trouble started on Monday when at one of the factories the workers came to know that the management has reduced their wage rates .

Annual Budget 2008-9

The smooth journey of our free media brought about a healthy change in the country after restoration of democracy in 1991 which is Bangladesh's greatest achievement since independence. Again, the vibrancy and vitality of the media is crucial to our development and advancement. And we have seen better days than the current times because of such state of the press. But if the press is not free, then the nation cannot prosper.

Bangladesh is a country of valuable natural resources. These may be a source of foreign currency if used properly. At a discussion held recently on “Role of natural resources, beauty and tourism industry at Durgapur and Kalmakanda areas” panelists rightly urged the government to allocate special funds in the national budget to boost environment and people-friendly tourism business in those places.

We welcome the move of Tata and Mittal to take up their multi-billion dollar investment in Bangladesh with the caretaker government . But the interim administration should clear dark clouds that now hover around foreign investment. The Niko graft cases against the two former Prime Ministers have certainly sent jitters to many in this regard.

International Socialist Congress designated May Day as an international labor day in 1889 . In many countries, this is the occasion for important political demonstrations .The May Fourth Movement in China was also related to the observance of May Day worldwide , when on 4 May 1919 , mass demonstrations took place in Beijing for ensuring the rights of teachers and students , women and industrial workers .

No one still knows where a prospective entrepreneur will get a complete list of items he should produce to avail the benefits. One must know first what Canada or other countries extending duty-free access needs as imports from countries like Bangladesh. Sadly, the Export Promotion Bureau or any other related organisation has miserably failed to expose our businessmen to such markets. This should not cost us much.

All out measures must be taken

With the growing number of universities in the country, a system for evaluating performances of the higher seats of learning, public and private, has become urgently necessary in the country. This will enable the people to know the quality of each of these educational institutions.

An unjustified move indeed

Implementation of BBF recommendations needed

But question remains

The allegation of executive’s interference in the judicial process of Sheikh Hasina is unfortunate. Before the judge of the special court now trying the former PM Barrister Shafique Ahmed, a former President of the Supreme Court Bar Association, alleged that lawyers of Hasina were allegedly summoned and were asked not to make their court submissions lengthy or talk to the media. I may have to face the same music some day, he said.

Adviser for Finance, Dr. Mirza Azizul Islam on Wednesday reportedly told that next year’s budget would aim at 6.5 per cent in the Gross Domestic Product By now many people know what this GDP means but do know how far this GDP growth is reflected in reality. We are falling behind in all key indicators of the national economy. Again, it is also true that the vast rural population have very little idea about these economic terms.

Foreign Adviser Dr Iftekhar Ahmed Chowdhury, who will lead a strong Bangladesh team to the UNCTAD XII conference in Accra, Ghana next week, observed that the recent worldwide shortages in grain supply is an issue significant enough for the United Nations to focus on as a priority. New Green Revolutions should be inspired through more research and development on food production and distribution of high-yielding seed varieties, and expanding acreage in agriculture should constitute elements of this ‘thrust-programme’.

Climate change worldwide due to a number of reasons has threatened the very existence of human life in both the developing and developed countries. Again, diseases and adverse health conditions are on the increase in Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries. The Japanese International Cooperation Agency has now undertaken a renewed policy initiative whereby it will prioritise disaster management and protection from the effects of climate change threatening permanent inundation of a huge area along our coastal belt affecting human habitation and agriculture , fisheries and livestock.

The country’s poultry industry has recently suffered a serious setback following large scale decimation on account of avian influenza widely known as bird flu. In order to overcome this dismaying situation , and to boost commercial output of poultry , fishery and diary production , the Council of Advisers approved the Fish feed and Livestock Feed Ordinance 2008 , on Sunday.