US embassy cable - 05DHAKA3176

UNCLAS DHAKA 003176 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: ELAB, ETRD, CASC, PGOV, PHUM, BG 
SUBJECT: CDA RAISES CONCERNS ABOUT ALLEGED NSI HARASSMENT 
OF USG LABOR PROGRAM PARTNERS 
 
 
1. (SBU) Summary.  CDA expressed concern to BDG officials 
over reports of escalating harassment by a BDG intelligence 
officer of USG labor program partners and personnel, 
including an American citizen.   END SUMMARY. 
 
2. (SBU) Since summer 2004, the USAID-funded American Center 
for International Labor Solidarity (ACILS), along with its 
Bangladesh partner, Bangladesh Independent Garment Worker's 
Federation (BIGUF), has worked to resolve long-standing 
unpaid wages and forced unpaid overtime violations at a 
factory in Gazipur, located 30 kilometers north of Dhaka. 
According to ACILS, Taj Knitting, the workers, BIGUF and the 
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers Association (BGMEA) worked 
to resolve the matter but have been unsuccessful. 
 
3. (SBU) Since February 2005, workers at Taj Knitting, with 
BIGUF's assistance, have attempted to form a union but have 
been reportedly subject to threats, acts of intimidation, 
public newspaper attacks, overt violence, sexual harassment 
and police surveillance.  On February 10, when two officers 
from National Security Intelligence (NSI), Deputy Assistant 
Directors Mazmul Ahsan and Mohammad Istiaque Ahmed, visited 
ACILS offices when the AMCIT Country Director was absent and 
successfully asked for the Amcit's home address and other 
personal information.  On June 19, the Amcit notified poloff 
that in the past month he had been surveilled, his actions 
recorded, and members of a garment makers trade association 
had called for his removal from Bangladesh. 
 
4. (SBU) On June 21, ACILS told poloff that another NSI 
officer named Mamunur Rashid visited BIGUF offices in Dhaka 
to interview BIGUF's Secretary General, Nazma Ahkter, during 
which they asked her about BIGUF's membership, programs, 
budget, sources of funding, and BIGUF's relationship with 
ACILS. 
 
5. (SBU) Since then, Nazma told poloff, the NSI officer has 
returned at least five times asking for additional documents 
such as bio data with photos of all of BIGUF staff, BIGUF's 
constitution, its bank, her passport, and a copy of the 
BIGUF-ACILS agreement.  He also told Nazma to advise him when 
she travels and whom she meets, including her visits to the 
US Embassy.  She told poloff that he said if Taj Knitting 
loses business because of her, "they will take some action." 
 
6. (SBU) On July 6, CDA asked in separate meetings Foreign 
Minister Morshed Khan and Principal Secretary to the Prime 
Minister Kamal Siddiqui to clarify NSI's actions and explain 
any concerns it might have about BIGUF's or the Solidarity 
Center's lawful activities.  Khan agreed that threats would 
be a serious matter and, along with Siddiqui, undertook to 
make inquiries.  We are also raising the matter directly with 
NSI. 
CHAMMAS