The United States garment and footwear manufacturers and importers groups urged the Bangladesh government to mediate in order to resolve the ongoing wage disputes in the garment industry in Bangladesh, fearing that this dispute will damage the credibility of these companies. Drainage and others also expressed concern about the labor practices reported by the government of Bangladesh and the police in several factories.

The American Appareland Footwear Association (AAFA), which includes business members such as JonesApparel, VFCorporation, Kellwood, CintasCorporation, PoloRalphLauren, and Phillips-VanHeusen, sent a letter to Akramul Qader, Bangladeshi ambassador to the United States, and called for the settlement of labor disputes in Bangladesh through peaceful negotiations.

AAFA President and CEO Kevin Burke stated that he hopes that the government of Bangladesh will convene all related parties - laborers, manufacturers and buyers - to resolve the wage disputes in the garment industry in Bangladesh as soon as possible. Drain also warned that AAFA member companies want to determine that their imported clothing and footwear products are made in accordance with legal, humanitarian and ethical conditions. Because AAFA's member companies can get the favor of consumers is mainly the brand reputation of these companies.

The turmoil in the garment industry in Bangladesh was even more drastic after the monthly minimum wage was raised to 42 U.S. dollars (3,000 Bangladeshi national currency) at the end of July this year, because even the monthly minimum wage was higher than the previous month (US$ 24/1,662). Bangladesh’s currency rose by 80%, and labor still felt insufficient, demanding a rise to US$72 (5,000 Bangladesh).

Through reports, US importers are also concerned about the arrest, coercion and intrusion of workers, as well as the cancellation of registration of some labor rights groups, such as the Bangladesh Center for Worker Solidarity (BCWS); and they question certain of the arrest of BCWS. The legality of the staff.

The United States is the second largest consumer of garments and knitwear exports in Bangladesh after the EU. Between July 2008 and June 2009, the total purchase amounted to US$ 3.693 billion, accounting for approximately 12.4 billion in the total export value of Bangladeshi garments. 30% of the U.S. dollar.