Bangladesh has reiterated its stand on the existing laws in the country to the United States.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen clarified the issues during a meeting with a US delegation led by State Department Acting Secretary Alice Wells on Tuesday (Nov 5).
“They raised a few questions regarding some sections of the Digital Security Act, saying that it has constricted the media,” Momen told the media after the meeting.
He added that the US delegation was strongly told that the provisions were absolutely necessary to control unwanted incidents similar to the clash at Barishal. “I told them some rules need to be in place for a disciplined life.”
He said that the US delegation disagreed with him there to which he said, “Even you have implemented similar laws in your country.”
On the delegation’s question on Bangladesh not allowing people to organise, he said, “It’s not true. It’s much harder to organise in your country [US].”
He added that similar to the US permission, needs to be taken here in order to organise meetings.
According to the minister, the delegation said that the labour laws in the country are not favourable.
“The wages of the workers have increased three to three-and-half times. What else do you expect? The wages of our officers have increased 100 percent. Will it ever increase 100 percent in America? It increases 6 percent every three years there,” Momen told Wells and the delegates.
The minister said that US was told clearly that it’s completely untrue Bangladesh doesn’t allow trade unions.