Bangladesh?s special trade status is under scrutiny in the Senate after last month?s factory collapse that killed hundreds of garment workers. As one of the poorest nations in the world, Bangladesh can export nearly 5,000 products to the U.S. duty-free. Although garments are not among the duty-free items, Senate withdrawal of the privilege could chill American investment in the region and influence the European Union to take similar action. At Thursday?s hearing, Bangladesh?s ambassador to the U.S. Akramul Qader said that the country was making strides toward improved worker rights. President Obama is expected to make a decision on the issue by the end of June.
See "Bob Menendez, other senators seek Bangladesh action on labor rights", Matthew Pennington, The Huffington Post, June 6, 2013