Strongly protesting the ongoing political unrest, RMG manufacturers have threatened to launch tougher movement if the crisis is not resolved for the sake of restoring a business friendly environment in the country.
They issued the warning at a day-long joint hunger strike held in front of BGMEA head quarters in the city yesterday to put pressure on the political parties to end the ongoing political unrest that already took heavy toll on the sector.
Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) jointly organised the hunger strike as per their previously announced programme.
Professor AAMS Arefin Siddique, vice chancellor of Dhaka University broke the token hunger strike in the evening by offering them water and juice. The businessmen started their token hunger strike at 11 am with national anthem.
“Buyers have already started searching for alternative outsourcing countries for importing RMG products due to our political unrest,” said BGMEA President Atiqul Islam.
Blaming the major political parties for ongoing the unrest, he urged them not to compel the sector people to take to the street, which will worsen the country’s situation further.
“As we want to get rid of this kind of political crisis, please stop violences to ensure business friendly climate for doing business,” said Islam.
BGMEA President said, “No one can achieve anything by hurling bombs and we will never bow down to the bombers.”
“Worried global buyers are calling the apparel makers to know when they will get delivery of their products. They also want to know what the manufacturers are doing here to end the crises,” said AK Azad, former president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).
Threatening to launch a greater movement Azad said: “If the crises are not resolved soon, we will begin greater movement with the voices from all the business communities to protect our own business.’’
“Please, don’t force us to come down to the street with the workers to protest ongoing political, which is destroying the economy of the country,’’ he added.
Former BGMEA President Abdus Salam Murshedy said, “The ongoing crises is a political one and it should be resolved politically. He also urged the BGMEA to announce non-stop programmes in protest against the ongoing political unrest.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Tapan Choudhury said: “We hate those people, who are playing with people’s life and economy. Those day are not far away while the people will stand against all the miss deeds and the anarchies, he added.
Transport sector is the most affected sector, which suffered the biggest losses due to the political unrest, said Bangladesh Truck and Covered-Van Owners association General Secretary Rustom Ali Khan.
“Drivers and helpers are not willing to run the vehicles in the back drop of the arson and petrol bombs attacks,” he said.
Global buyers have no faith on the Bangladeshi manufacturers for placing their orders, fearing delay in the shipment due to the political unrest, said Bangladesh Plastic Goods Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BPGMEA) President Jasim Uddin.