RMG factories will only reopen if workers join the production procedures peacefully by shunning the ongoing unrest, said Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
As of today, 130 factories have been shut due to the ongoing unrest in the sector which has started since October 23, he said.
He spoke at a press meeting organized by the BGMEA regarding the unrest at its Uttara Office on Sunday.
The BGMEA president also said that the member factories will keep their factory units shut until the end of the ongoing labour unrest to avoid any vandalism and arson attacks.
He further directed the manufacturers to shut their factory units under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act if they faced any kind of unrest and vandalism, which meant no work and no pay.
Responding to a question, he said that so far 25 factories have faced incidents of vandalism and arson attacks, and the unrest is going on at about 5% of factories.
“As long as worker vandalism is stopped and the law enforcement agencies are unable to ensure adequate security - till then factory authorities can close factories under Section 13 (1) to protect industry and property,” he added.
The entrepreneur has the constitutional right to protect his own industry and wealth from outsiders.
He also said that as there is currently less work in many factories in the RMG sector, buyers have stopped placing new orders, so they have asked to stop new recruitment.
“When the situation improves, we will open new appointments. Even if the factory is closed due to bank debt, order cancellation or any other reason, the owner has to pay the wages properly.,” he added.
So, now, when there is less work, the manufacturers should not hire new people, he added.
He also said that misinformation is spreading through social media which is ruining the image of the industry and the country.
“Our sincere request to the government, take strict action against those who are indulging in such malpractices and identify those who are conspiring against this industry,” he added.
Inamul Haq Khan (Bablu), managing director of Ananta Companies Ltd, said that his factory ABM Fashion was attacked by miscreants who vandalized and torched the factory, which led to the death of one of his workers.
“The miscreants were in three groups; one group looted, another group beat the officials and the third group torched the factory,” he added, saying that they also broke fire extinguishers, vandalized medical centres and fair price shops.
They cannot be workers, they are vested interest groups, he went on to say.
Faruque Hassan said that the factories are being vandalized in various places in the name of agitation despite the increase in wages.
“Since the wage announcement, some unnamed unruly workers in several factories have gone on illegal strike over unreasonable demands and caused extensive vandalism,” he added.
Unfortunately, when the minimum wage board constituted by the government was working on increasing the wages, there were incidents of vandalism and arson in factories, he added.
“Implementation of new wages is a big challenge for us but we will implement it. In this regard, I wish for the cooperation of buyers, workers, government and everyone,” he added.
He also said that it goes without saying that minimum wages are announced keeping in mind the capacity of the industry.
“At the core of our capabilities is the value addition of workers as we don't have any raw material like cotton here. Our sincere appeal to the workers to work with sincerity. If the industry is good you will be good too,” he added.