Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed the authorities concerned to protect garment workers’ interests and ensure uninterrupted production and export activities in the apparel sector.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed came up with the prime minister’s instructions while talking to reporters after a meeting on the prevailing situation in the garment sector at the Secretariat at night.
At the same time, he warned that those involved in violence, sabotage and attempts to create disorder in the name of workers’ movement will be dealt with strictly.
“The prime minister has given advice and directives to ensure that garment workers’ interests are protected, their living standards improve, and production and development in Bangladesh are not disrupted, while exports increase. He has asked us to take steps keeping all these issues in consideration,” he said.
Salahuddin said the law enforcement agencies have been asked to take strict action against those who are involved in violence or attempting to create disorder and instability.
“We have asked the law enforcement agencies to deal firmly with those who are involved in violence, behaving recklessly or trying to create unnecessary disorder and instability,” he said.
Alleges instigation from across the border
The minister alleged that masked individuals infiltrated different levels of the incidents during the day and that some quarters from across the border were instigating innocent garment workers to create instability and disrupt the country's export trade and apparel production.
“Analysing the information available to the government, we have found that some people from across the border are instigating innocent garment workers to create instability in the country, disrupt export trade and hamper production in the garment industry,” he said.
The government will deal strictly with such activities, Salahuddin said, adding that those involved in violent acts are being brought under the law.
“Police and other law enforcement agencies will take strict action against any attempt at sabotage or creating disorder,” he added.
Wage board formed to revise minimum wages
The minister said the government formed a wage board to revise the minimum wages of garment workers, stressing that there is no need for violent demonstrations as the issue can be resolved through discussions.
He said the law provides for the formation of a wage board every three years to review workers’ minimum wages. “Although there is time until December to form the board, the government has taken the initiative earlier through discussions with representatives of employers and workers.”
The employers had submitted the names of their representatives, but there was a delay in receiving nominations from workers’ organisations, Salahuddin said, adding that after receiving the worker representatives’ names on Saturday night, the government formed the board and issued a notification on Sunday morning.
The representatives of employers and workers on the board will discuss and recommend minimum wages, taking into account workers’ living standards, their ability to maintain a decent family life and their financial capacity, he said.
The minister said the government is sincere about protecting workers’ interests and improving their living standards.
He, however, alleged that violence took place in the name of the workers’ movement, including setting fire to police vehicles, attacks at different places, vandalism of vehicles and arson at factories. “There was no need for such violence when the issue of wages could be discussed and resolved through dialogue,” he said.
PM asks authorities to safeguard workers’ interests
Salahuddin said the prime minister instructed the authorities concerned to ensure workers’ welfare and improve their living standards.
Tarique Rahman also advised the wage board and asked the Ministry of Labour and Employment to take necessary steps to protect workers’ interests, he said.
The government wants peace, discipline, development and progress, the minister said, adding that its goal is to expand the garment industry, increase export earnings and create more employment opportunities for workers.
He also recalled the contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to the development of Bangladesh’s garment industry, saying the government wants the sector to grow further, exports to expand and employment opportunities to increase.
Factories urged to remain open
Asked whether factories closed amid the unrest will reopen on Monday, Salahuddin said garment factory owners have been urged to keep production running.
“If any factory has been closed for some reason, the closure should be temporary. Owners and workers should maintain normal production through mutual discussions and understanding,” he said.
The minister stressed that production and supply of goods for export must not be disrupted under any circumstances.
Asked when the wage board will hold its first meeting, he advised reporters to contact the board chairman for details.
The meeting began at 6pm at the Cabinet Division conference room of the Secretariat to review the situation surrounding the garment workers’ movement and clashes with police at different places.
Those present included Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Co-operatives Mir Shahe Alam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Chief Coordinator Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, MP.
