Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has alleged that a pretext is being created to force an unreasonable wage announcement by destabilizing the readymade garment (RMG) industry.
He stated that chaos is still being instigated in factories despite the formation of the wage board, creating a situation designed to force an unreasonable wage hike under pressure.
He made these remarks while responding to journalists' questions at a joint press conference held by two garment owners' associations—BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA)—at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara, Dhaka, on Saturday (November 14).
Also present at the press conference were BKMEA executive president Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, vice president Amal Poddar, and BGMEA vice presidents Rezwan Selim and Mizanur Rahman, among others.
Mahmud Hasan Khan said: "The wage board was formed on November 1. However, the chaotic situation began in the last week of October. Even if we consider what happened last month as reasonable, what is happening right now is by no means justified. The wage board has already been formed."
"Most importantly, the effective date for the increased wages was already announced at the board's very first meeting. Creating an anarchic situation even after that means setting the stage for an unreasonable wage declaration under pressure."
Khan reported that due to the ongoing unrest, 147 factories in Savar-Ashulia and Gazipur are unable to keep production running despite their best efforts.
On Saturday alone, 55 factories in these areas remained closed indefinitely under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, while 92 factories were forced to declare a holiday after failing to resume production.
He clarified that factories able to maintain regular operations are not permitted to shut down under Section 13(1).
However, regardless of the region, factories that cannot sustain production for even an hour despite their best efforts are legally entitled to close down due to a lack of security and a proper working environment.
In response to another question, Mahmud Hasan Khan said it is not possible for BGMEA to identify those behind the anarchy, noting that law enforcement agencies are working on it and have already brought the perpetrators under their surveillance network.
Earlier on Saturday morning, a joint view-exchange meeting was held with members of BGMEA and BKMEA at the BGMEA office auditorium, attended by over a thousand garment factory owners.
Conveying the opinions of the participating members, Mahmud Hasan Khan said that continuing discussions at the wage board becomes questionable if factory vandalism and road blockades persist simultaneously.
"However, as a responsible part of society, we will attend the third meeting of the wage board on Monday, November 16," he said, hoping that the situation will improve within the next 1-2 days.
If the situation does not improve, owners will sit together again to make a further decision, he added.