Keep Us Strong WikiLeaks logo

Currently released so far... 97115 / 251,287

Articles

Browse latest releases

Browse by creation date

Browse by origin

A B C D F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

Browse by tag

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
ETRD EAGR ETTC EAID ECON EFIN ECIN EINV ELAB EAIR ENRG EPET EWWT ECPS EIND EMIN ELTN EC ETMIN EUC EZ ET ELECTIONS ENVR EU EUN EG EINT ER ECONOMICS ES EMS ENIV EEB EN ECE ECOSOC EK ENVIRONMENT EFIS EI EWT ENGRD ECPSN EXIM EIAD ERIN ECPC EDEV ENGY ECTRD EPA ESTH ECCT EINVECON ENGR ERTD EUR EAP EWWC ELTD EL EXIMOPIC EXTERNAL ETRDEC ESCAP ECO EGAD ELNT ECONOMIC ENV ETRN EIAR EUMEM ENRGPARMOTRASENVKGHGPGOVECONTSPLEAID EREL ECOM ECONETRDEAGRJA ETCC ETRG ECONOMY EMED ETR ENERG EITC EFINOECD EURM EENG ERA EXPORT ENRD ECONEINVETRDEFINELABETRDKTDBPGOVOPIC EGEN EBRD EVIN ETRAD ECOWAS EFTA ECONETRDBESPAR EGOVSY EPIN EID ECONENRG EDRC ESENV ETT EB ENER ELTNSNAR ECHEVARRIA ETRC EPIT EDUC ESA EFI ENRGY ESCI EE EAIDXMXAXBXFFR EETC ECIP EIAID EIVN EBEXP ESTN EING EGOV ETRA EPETEIND ELAN ETRDGK EAIDRW ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS EPEC ENVI ELN EAG EPCS EPRT EPTED ETRB EUM EAIDS EFIC EFINECONEAIDUNGAGM EAIDAR ESF EIDN ELAM EDU EV EAIDAF ECN EDA EXBS EINTECPS ENRGTRGYETRDBEXPBTIOSZ EPREL EAC EINVEFIN ETA EAGER EINDIR ECA ECLAC ELAP EITI EUCOM ECONEFINETRDPGOVEAGRPTERKTFNKCRMEAID EARG ELDIN EINVKSCA ENNP EFINECONCS EFINTS ECCP ETC EAIRASECCASCID EINN ETRP EAIDNI EFQ ECOQKPKO EGPHUM EBUD ECONEINVEFINPGOVIZ ENERGY ELB EINDETRD EMI ECONEFIN EIB EURN ETRDEINVTINTCS EIN EFIM ETIO ELAINE EMN EATO EWTR EIPR EINVETC ETTD ETDR EIQ ECONCS EPPD ENRGIZ EISL ESPINOSA ELEC EAIG ESLCO EUREM ENTG ERD EINVECONSENVCSJA EEPET EUNCH ECINECONCS ETRO ETRDECONWTOCS ECUN EFND EPECO EAIRECONRP ERGR ETRDPGOV ECPN ENRGMO EPWR EET EAIS EAGRE EDUARDO EAGRRP EAIDPHUMPRELUG EICN ECONQH EVN EGHG ELBR EINF EAIDHO EENV ETEX ERNG ED
KMDR KPAO KPKO KJUS KCRM KGHG KFRD KWMN KDEM KTFN KHIV KGIC KIDE KSCA KNNP KHUM KIPR KSUM KISL KIRF KCOR KRCM KPAL KWBG KN KS KOMC KSEP KFLU KPWR KTIA KSEO KMPI KHLS KICC KSTH KMCA KVPR KPRM KE KU KZ KFLO KSAF KTIP KTEX KBCT KOCI KOLY KOR KAWC KACT KUNR KTDB KSTC KLIG KSKN KNN KCFE KCIP KGHA KHDP KPOW KUNC KDRL KV KPREL KCRS KPOL KRVC KRIM KGIT KWIR KT KIRC KOMO KRFD KUWAIT KG KFIN KSCI KTFIN KFTN KGOV KPRV KSAC KGIV KCRIM KPIR KSOC KBIO KW KGLB KMWN KPO KFSC KSEAO KSTCPL KSI KPRP KREC KFPC KUNH KCSA KMRS KNDP KR KICCPUR KPPAO KCSY KTBT KCIS KNEP KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KNNB KGCC KINR KPOP KMFO KENV KNAR KVIR KDRG KDMR KFCE KNAO KDEN KGCN KICA KIMMITT KMCC KLFU KMSG KSEC KUM KCUL KMNP KSMT KCOM KOMCSG KSPR KPMI KRAD KIND KCRP KAUST KWAWC KTER KCHG KRDP KPAS KITA KTSC KPAOPREL KWGB KIRP KJUST KMIG KLAB KTFR KSEI KSTT KAPO KSTS KLSO KWNN KPOA KHSA KNPP KPAONZ KBTS KWWW KY KJRE KPAOKMDRKE KCRCM KSCS KWMNCI KESO KWUN KPLS KIIP KEDEM KPAOY KRIF KGICKS KREF KTRD KFRDSOCIRO KTAO KJU KWMNPHUMPRELKPAOZW KEN KO KNEI KEMR KKIV KEAI KWAC KRCIM KWCI KFIU KWIC KCORR KOMS KNNO KPAI KBWG KTTB KTBD KTIALG KILS KFEM KTDM KESS KNUC KPA KOMCCO KCEM KRCS KWBGSY KNPPIS KNNPMNUC KWN KERG KLTN KALM KCCP KSUMPHUM KREL KGH KLIP KTLA KAWK KWMM KVRP KVRC KAID KSLG KDEMK KX KIF KNPR KCFC KFTFN KTFM KPDD KCERS KMOC KDEMAF KMEPI KEMS KDRM KEPREL KBTR KEDU KNP KIRL KNNR KMPT KISLPINR KTPN KA KJUSTH KPIN KDEV KTDD KAKA KFRP KWNM KTSD KINL KJUSKUNR KWWMN KECF KWBC KPRO KVBL KOM KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG KEDM KFLD KLPM KRGY KNNF KICR KIFR KM KWMNCS KAWS KLAP KPAK KDDG KCGC KID KNSD KMPF KPFO KDP KCMR KRMS KNPT KNNNP KTIAPARM KDTB KNUP KPGOV KNAP KNNC KUK KSRE KREISLER KIVP KQ KTIAEUN KPALAOIS KRM KISLAO KWM KFLOA
PHUM PINR PTER PGOV PREL PREF PL PM PHSA PE PARM PINS PK PUNE PO PALESTINIAN PU PBTS PROP PTBS POL POLI PA PGOVZI POLMIL POLITICAL PARTIES POLM PD POLITICS POLICY PAS PMIL PINT PNAT PV PKO PPOL PERSONS PING PBIO PH PETR PARMS PRES PCON PETERS PRELBR PT PLAB PP PAK PDEM PKPA PSOCI PF PLO PTERM PJUS PSOE PELOSI PROPERTY PGOVPREL PARP PRL PNIR PHUMKPAL PG PREZ PGIC PBOV PAO PKK PROV PHSAK PHUMPREL PROTECTION PGOVBL PSI PRELPK PGOVENRG PUM PRELKPKO PATTY PSOC PRIVATIZATION PRELSP PGOVEAIDUKNOSWGMHUCANLLHFRSPITNZ PMIG PREC PAIGH PROG PSHA PARK PETER POG PHUS PPREL PS PTERPREL PRELPGOV POV PKPO PGOVECON POUS PGOVPRELPHUMPREFSMIGELABEAIDKCRMKWMN PWBG PMAR PREM PAR PNR PRELPGOVEAIDECONEINVBEXPSCULOIIPBTIO PARMIR PGOVGM PHUH PARTM PN PRE PTE PY POLUN PPEL PDOV PGOVSOCI PIRF PGOVPM PBST PRELEVU PGOR PBTSRU PRM PRELKPAOIZ PGVO PERL PGOC PAGR PMIN PHUMR PVIP PPD PGV PRAM PINL PKPAL PTERE PGOF PINO PHAS PODC PRHUM PHUMA PREO PPA PEPFAR PGO PRGOV PAC PRESL PORG PKFK PEPR PRELP PREFA PNG PGOVPHUMKPAO PRELECON PINOCHET PFOR PGOVLO PHUMBA PRELC PREK PHUME PHJM POLINT PGOVPZ PGOVKCRM PGOVE PHALANAGE PARTY PECON PEACE PROCESS PLN PRELSW PAHO PEDRO PRELA PASS PPAO PGPV PNUM PCUL PGGV PSA PGOVSMIGKCRMKWMNPHUMCVISKFRDCA PGIV PRFE POGOV PEL PBT PAMQ PINF PSEPC POSTS PHUMPGOV PVOV PHSAPREL PROLIFERATION PENA PRELTBIOBA PIN PRELL PGOVPTER PHAM PHYTRP PTEL PTERPGOV PHARM PROTESTS PRELAF PKBL PRELKPAO PKNP PARMP PHUML PFOV PERM PUOS PRELGOV PHUMPTER PARAGRAPH PERURENA PBTSEWWT PCI PETROL PINSO PINSCE PQL PEREZ PBS

Browse by classification

Community resources

courage is contagious

Viewing cable 05DHAKA3375, BEPZA INVESTORS MEET TO DISCUSS WRWC AND OTHER

If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs

Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
  • The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
  • The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
  • The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
To understand the justification used for the classification of each cable, please use this WikiSource article as reference.

Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #05DHAKA3375.
Reference ID Created Released Classification Origin
05DHAKA3375 2005-07-17 06:08 2011-08-25 00:00 UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY Embassy Dhaka
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 DHAKA 003375 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB PREL PGOV ETRD BG
SUBJECT: BEPZA INVESTORS MEET TO DISCUSS WRWC AND OTHER 
ISSUES 
 
 
1. (SBU) Summary: BEPZA factory investors met with BEPZA 
Chairman Hossain on implementation of the EPZ law.  Hossain 
told investors of the re-submission of the AFL-CIO's 
petition, candidly described the worker-management situation, 
stressing the problems are on both sides, and urged investors 
to follow the rules and give "workers their due." He outlined 
future BEPZA actions to improve worker-management relations 
but categorically dismissed use of outside parties to aid in 
this goal. End Summary. 
 
2. (SBU) On July 12, Bangladesh Export Processing Zone 
Association (BEPZA) Executive Chair Mohammad Zakir Hossain 
briefed investors on implementation of the Workers Recreation 
and Welfare Committee (WRWC). Laboff attended the three hour 
meeting at the request of Hossain. The General Manager of the 
Savar EPZ, Kamal Ahktar, started the meeting, by listing 
current actions of workers:  meeting outside of the EPZ and 
making liaisons with outside associations, making contact 
with representatives of other companies in the zone, 
conducting "illegal strikes" and "making illegal demands to 
management."  Workers, he said, are influenced by outside 
organizations. 
 
3. (SBU) He faulted management for: hesitating to accept WRWC 
as partners for settlement of grievances; not regularly 
conducting WRWC meetings, not training workers of their 
responsibilities, not hiring competent human resource and 
personnel staff, not properly paying wages and other 
benefits, unlawfully dismissing workers without prior 
permission of the BEPZA Chairman, and not sitting down with 
workers to discuss grievances. 
 
4. (SBU) He stated several objectives: peaceful settlement of 
worker grievances; establishing harmonious labor management 
relations; and working with WRWC members in the hopes that 
they choose not to institute Worker Associations (WA) in 
November 2006. 
 
5. (SBU) The Executive Chairman noted to investors that "now 
is the time to come together" to resolve the situation.  He 
highlighted problems in the Comilla EPZ.  There are problems 
with workers over piece rate and overtime issues, and there 
had been "difficult" talks between labor and management. 
After the WRWC elections, he said, there was an immediate 
change in attitude between the WRWC members and management. 
The problems were "not with the other side.  Had we engaged 
with them, problems may not have appeared."  There were "wild 
demands" from laborers because of a lack of understanding 
stemming from our failure to give them education.  We are not 
training them, and we are asking for grants to fund more 
training, but we must realize and address our shortcomings. 
 
6. (SBU) A manager described the situation at several 
factories.  He said that within the last two months, there 
have been "excessive" demands at several factories.  Examples 
included: "after four hours of overtime, there should be a 30 
minute lunch break in the cloth dying section, "and there 
should be no retrenchment of workers, and workers should have 
permanent appointment letters and be able to take weekly 
government and other holidays off.  He said that these 
demands reflected guidance "by outside quarters." 
 
7.  (SBU) He also cited workers' legitimate claims: all 
workers should have BEPZA ID cards, no suspensions without a 
valid reason, dismissed workers should have their final pay 
within seven days, a meal allowance should be provided when 
working after hours, WRWC members should not be insulted, and 
WRWC members should be informed when workers are fired. 
 
8. (SBU) The manager then noted several needs: factories need 
to appoint professionally qualified personnel managers, 
enforce prevailing rules and regulations, promote the WRWC 
activities, and provide WRWC training. He said that a strong 
constructive WRWC can reduce necessary disputes.  He closed 
noting that there should be a "firewall between inside and 
outside the EPZ" to prevent contamination and infiltration by 
vested interests.  He attributed the remark to the World Bank. 
 
9. (SBU) The Executive Chairman told investors that the 
demands noted were not major and could have been resolved if 
management sat down with workers.  He encouraged this, saying 
that most WRWC members are not well educated, and while 
factories don't have human resource staff, many situations 
have been "mishandled" by management."  "You have to give the 
workers their due" and try to mold their attitude. 
 
10. (SBU) He said that BEPZA has written a handbook for WRWC 
staff in Bangla and will translate it into English.  If 
management discussions with labor fail, the parties should 
use counselors that BEPZA has hired, and then, if needed, 
with the arbitrators that BEPZA is starting to hire. 
 
11. (SBU) Kihak Sung, Chairman and CEO of Youngone, a major 
investor in the Chittagong EPZ, took issue with some of 
Hossain's remarks.  He said that many of the labor actions 
seem to be "wildcat" in nature.  Sung stated that there is a 
"labor protection racket", and a "firewall" will never work. 
Hossain responded that the government position is clear-there 
can be "no outside politics to spoil the environment." 
 
12. (SBU) After two hours listening to WRWC issues, the 
investors spent two hours, raising questions on BEPZA 
services.  They demanded better traffic management outside of 
BEPZA gates, treated water (many incur double costs 
retreating their water supply to usable quality), regular 
garbage pickup, consistent power generation, and that BEPZA 
reply to factory owners and managers letters. 
 
13. (SBU) During the meeting, Hossain noted AFL-CIO's renewed 
petition to the USTR.  He acknowledged that in some cases 
some managers "have overused our authority," but said that 
the problems were not systemic. He recalled how he and 
Solidarity Center had negotiated the terms of the EPZ law, 
and now after passage of the law, the re-submission was a 
"betrayal." 
CHAMMAS