Garment workers demanding a minimum wage of Tk30,000 have rejected allegations of political incitement and a wider conspiracy behind their ongoing movement, insisting that soaring living costs, rather than any external influence, have driven them to protest.
The allegations surfaced as more than 100 people, including workers and police personnel, were injured in repeated clashes across industrial areas of Dhaka and Gazipur on Tuesday.
Police arrested 40 people accused of inciting unrest, claiming that outsiders had infiltrated the demonstrations.
Some police officials and labour leaders have alleged that politically motivated groups, including elements linked to the Awami League, are attempting to exploit the movement to create instability.
However, no independently verified evidence establishing such involvement has been presented.
Workers have strongly disputed the allegations, arguing that their struggle is rooted in economic hardship and that attempts to portray the movement as a conspiracy risk undermining their legitimate demands.
“We know nothing about any conspiracy. The high cost of living is hitting our stomachs. We are protesting out of sheer necessity to survive,” a worker in Mirpur said.
The workers maintain that the government’s formation of a wage board is insufficient to resolve the crisis.
They have vowed to continue demonstrating until a concrete announcement on a wage increase is made.
Allegations of outside instigation
Shoeb Islam, a garment worker participating in the protests in Mirpur, told Bangla Tribune that workers had no involvement in sabotage or politically motivated violence.
“We, the workers, are not involved in any acts of sabotage. If anyone engages in such acts, it is a matter for the police to address,” he said.
He also alleged that police had unjustly attacked protesters and warned that workers would resist any arbitrary arrests of their colleagues.
Another worker, Shefali Begum, dismissed allegations that the demonstrations were being orchestrated by outside groups.
“We have not been incited by anyone. We are protesting for our own legitimate demands,” she said.
She argued that the police should identify and take action against any outsiders attempting to exploit the movement rather than holding ordinary workers responsible.
“If someone else has infiltrated the group with a different agenda, that is a matter for the police to address. It is unfair to blame the movement of ordinary workers for that,” she said.
Shefali said workers would no longer accept assurances without a specific announcement on wages.
“The government should engage in discussions and implement our demands. Only when there is an official announcement of a wage increase will we return to work,” she said.
Another worker, Shamim, said the government could bring the demonstrations to an immediate end by announcing the demanded minimum wage.
“If the government announces a minimum wage of Tk30,000, all the workers will return to their factories, and no one will remain on the streets,” he said.
Police claim outsiders’ infiltration
Law enforcement officials, however, have maintained that individuals with motives unrelated to workers’ wage demands have infiltrated the demonstrations.
Md Mostafizur Rahman, deputy inspector general of Dhaka Range, said police had arrested 40 people in connection with unrest in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj, claiming that none of those detained were garment workers.
“Taking advantage of the workers’ legitimate movement, certain miscreants have infiltrated their ranks to stir up chaos,” he told journalists on Tuesday after visiting industrial facilities in Ashulia.
He said police were gathering evidence to identify those allegedly responsible for instigating violence.
Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen also alleged that individuals wearing burqas and helmets had been inciting workers in an attempt to destabilise the country.
She claimed police had information about the financing of these activities but did not publicly disclose supporting evidence.
Meanwhile, Hasan Mohammad Nasher Rikabdar, deputy commissioner of Mirpur Division, questioned the motives of those continuing to demonstrate despite the formation of a wage board.
“Those currently involved in the protests are not workers. The government has already established a board to address wage increases for workers, and pay will indeed rise,” he said.
He warned that police would take firm action against anyone attempting to create disorder.
Labour leaders divided
Some labour leaders have also raised concerns about alleged third-party involvement, while acknowledging the legitimacy of workers’ wage demands.
Nazma Akter, president of the Sommilito Garments Sromik Federation, said the formation of a wage board was a positive step and urged workers to return to their factories.
She alleged that certain groups were attempting to exploit the movement for their own interests.
“While the workers’ demands are legitimate, can acts of arson, looting and vandalism ever be a solution?” she asked.
Taslima Akter, president of Bangladesh Garment Workers Solidarity, similarly alleged that outside groups were inciting unrest.
“Some groups are exploiting these protests for their own benefit; there is clear incitement,” she said.
Both leaders urged workers to remain calm and allow the wage board to complete its work.
Over 100 injured
The dispute over the nature of the movement unfolded against a backdrop of escalating violence across several industrial areas.
In Mirpur, garment workers began leaving factories on Tuesday morning and attempted to occupy roads. Police used batons, tear gas shells and sound grenades to disperse them, while some protesters responded by throwing bricks and stones.
Several rounds of clashes followed, leaving workers and police personnel injured. At Kalshi intersection, a police officer identified as Saymon was reportedly assaulted.
In Gazipur, workers repeatedly blocked sections of the Dhaka-Tangail and Dhaka-Mymensingh highways, triggering confrontations with police and causing severe traffic disruption.
There were also allegations that some BNP activists carrying sticks were present during the unrest, apparently seeking to suppress the demonstrations. Their involvement could not be independently verified.
Blockades in Gazipur and Narayanganj left passenger buses, trucks and other vehicles stranded for hours, causing widespread hardship for commuters.
Despite the violence, arrests and allegations of outside interference, protesting workers insisted that their central demand remained unchanged: a minimum wage of Tk30,000.
They said the movement would continue until the government announced a definite wage increase, maintaining that their struggle was about survival, not politics.
