Nazma Akter, president of the Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation and a prominent labour leader, has warned that vandalism and unrest in garment factories in the name of workers’ protests could put their jobs at risk.
She said such incidents were damaging the national economy and prompting foreign buyers to consider sourcing from other countries, including India.
“Foreign buyers are turning away from Bangladesh and moving to other countries, including India. In the long run, this puts the workers themselves at risk of losing their employment,” she said.
Nazma made the remarks at a press briefing organised by workers’ representatives on the Minimum Wage Board at Shram Bhaban on Monday morning.
She alleged that outsiders and disgruntled individuals were joining the protests to incite vandalism and unrest.
“In the name of labour protests, outsiders—along with various disgruntled or troubled individuals—are gathering to incite vandalism and chaos. In some instances, using the closure of a factory or the non-payment of wages as a pretext, people are entering factories to carry out acts of destruction. Such behaviour is absolutely unacceptable,” she said.
Urging workers to pursue their demands peacefully, she said they should submit their grievances to the relevant authorities in writing or through established procedures rather than engage in unnecessary conflict.
She warned that factory vandalism and production disruptions could harm the country's economy and lead to an employment crisis if international buyers shifted their orders elsewhere.
Referring to the political affiliations of factory owners, Nazma said owners of garment factories and other industrial enterprises were associated with different political parties, and alleged that there were attempts to divert the workers’ rights movement towards other agendas.
The press briefing was chaired by Anwar Hossain, a workers’ representative on the Minimum Wage Board and a member of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sromik Dal.
Other workers’ representatives and labour leaders, including Babul Akhter, Sultana Begum, Lovely Yasmin, Khalikuzzaman Lipu and Sohel Rana, were also present.