Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) on Saturday called for a transparent investigation and due process regarding allegations against Bitopia Group and related activities, including account management on international freelancing marketplaces, use of personal identity and information, order and review management, control of employees’ and freelancers’ accounts, and violation of marketplace policies.
The call was made at a press conference held on Saturday at the BASIS office in Karwan Bazar, Dhaka.
A written statement was read by Mohammad Jewel, member of BASIS Support Committee and Chairman of Trust-IT (BD) Limited, said a BASIS press release on Sunday.
Jewel said the truth of the allegations against Bitopia could not be definitively determined without a proper investigation. He said the matter needed to be viewed seriously given the nature and potential impact of the allegations. BASIS does not want the reputation of the country’s overall freelancing community to suffer because of the activities of any individual or organisation, he said.
BASIS stated that it does not support fraud, use of fake identity, misuse of personal information, fake orders, artificial reviews, marketplace manipulation, or violation of any international platform’s policies. At the same time, it emphasised ensuring due process without declaring anyone guilty before an investigation.
It was informed at the press conference that if the person or organisation concerned is a BASIS member, the matter will be verified according to the organisation’s rules, member code of conduct and applicable rules. If credible elements of serious irregularities are initially found, temporary suspension of the relevant membership will be considered following due process.
A show-cause notice will be issued to the member or organisation concerned and an opportunity to present their statement will be ensured. If the allegations are proven in the investigation, necessary organisational action will be taken according to the organization rules.
Jewel said BASIS will cooperate with any legitimate government investigation or inquiry. If the relevant government ministry, department, regulatory body, law enforcement agency or other authority seeks necessary information or cooperation, BASIS will provide maximum cooperation within its legal jurisdiction and limits. Relevant information, member records or institutional documents, if any, will be provided to the authorities through due process.
He said efforts would be taken to collect statements and information from freelancers, former employees or others affected by the allegations. If anyone’s NID, passport, personal information or international marketplace account has been used without permission, or if control of an account has passed to another party, a Complaint & Evidence Collection mechanism would be launched to report it. The identity and personal information of informants would be prioritised in this regard.
Jewel said the matter should not be limited to a single organisation or specific incident, but structural issues in Bangladesh’s freelancing sector should also be reviewed. Clear policies are needed on who will have actual control over a marketplace account created in a freelancer’s name, how an organisation can use an employee’s or freelancer’s NID, passport and personal information, how ownership of the relevant account and digital identity will be determined after employment ends, and how many personal accounts a company or agency can operate.
The BASIS official said the association would propose initiating a National Freelancing & Marketplace Governance Framework through discussions with the government. He also spoke of the need to address long-term issues such as complexities in receiving payments by freelancers, limitations of international payment gateways, banking problems, foreign currency management, tax-related ambiguities and digital identity protection.
It was stated at the press conference that the responsibility for the irregularities of one or a few individuals should not fall on the country’s millions of honest freelancers. The message that most Bangladeshi freelancers work with skill, honesty and in compliance with international rules needs to be conveyed to international marketplaces and global buyers.
Jewel said BASIS’s position is clear: it will not take sides, will not cover up any allegation, and will not declare anyone guilty before an investigation. BASIS wants to work in coordination with the government, law enforcement agencies, international marketplaces, the media and the freelancing community with the aim of ensuring a transparent investigation, due process, protection of victims and safeguarding the international reputation of Bangladesh’s information technology and freelancing sector.
Others present at the press conference were Abdullah Ibne Nurul Islam, member of the BASIS Support Committee and Managing Director of Solution World Limited; Md Ahsan Habib, member of the BASIS Support Committee and Managing Director of AGIS Quality Action Limited; Ferdous Alam, member of the BASIS Support Committee and Founder and CEO of Etova Technology; Md Fuad Hasan, member of the BASIS Support Committee and Director of Red Sparrow Limited; and Md Rashed Ul Haque Sarkar, member of the BASIS Support Committee and CEO of Lemise Limited.
