Workers' unrest in the country's readymade garment (RMG) industry entered its 11th day on Thursday, resulting in the closure of more than 300-400 RMG production units around the country, several deaths, and hundreds injured.
Since October 22, the day after placing the minimum wage proposals for the RMG workers by both the owners and workers representatives at the Minimum Wages Board, RMG workers of Gazipur started agitations against the proposals.
Gradually, the chaos expanded to Ashulia, Savar, Konabari, Mirpur, and other key RMG manufacturing hubs in the country.
Following the deaths of two workers in Gazipur, the situation deteriorated and turned violent.
Labour ministry to revise wage proposal
Minister of State for Labor and Employment Munnujan Sufian urged the owners to propose a revised proposal which is reasonable and acceptable in line with the current market situation.
She also said that a proposal will be placed to the wage board to fix acceptable wages from the Ministry of Labour.
She added saying that they have decided to consider the rationing system for the garment workers and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina also has agreed.
The wage board can come to a decision by discussing with both parties in the next meeting to fix the wages, and continued on to say that if they cannot reach a consensus, the Prime Minister will take the further decision.
Latest update of the unrest as of Thursday
On Thursday, workers also demonstrated in the capital’s Mirpur area and various areas of Gazipur.
Around 11:30 am, garment workers began demonstrating in Mirpur, which quickly turned into a clash with police. The conflict occurred in front of Purabi Cinema Hall, and police were forced to use sound grenades and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators.
Workers in Mirpur shut down roads and vandalized stores early in the morning, seeking a raise in wages. Later, they staged a protest by blocking the major route in Mirpur 12, causing traffic congestion.
Garment workers, according to police, raided the BRTC bus facility in Mirpur and destroyed many buses.
Additionally, in the midst of continuous labour unrest in the textile industry, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have been deployed in Dhaka and surrounding areas to provide security.
Troops have been deployed in Ashulia, Savar, Mirpur, Rampura, Abdullahpur, Tongi, Gazipur, Konabari, Shariful Islam, public relations officer at BGB headquarters, said.
Protests and clashes also took place in Ashulia and Savar.
However, after swift action by the law enforcement agencies, the workers went back home.
Sirajul Islam Rony, president of Bangladesh National Garments Employees League (BNGWEL) and workers’ representative on the Minimum Wages Board, told Dhaka Tribune that the situation is becoming normal as workers went back to their respective homes.
As a number of factories are closed, the industry hubs witnessed a sluggishness and gloomy environment in the industrial zones.
Why violence is flaring up
On April 9, this year, the minimum wage board was formed to fix the minimum pay of RMG workers.
On October 22, the owners' representative proposed a monthly minimum pay of Tk10,400, while the workers' representative proposed Tk20,393 for entry-level workers.
Workers, however, rejected the proposals, demanding monthly pay ranging from Tk23,000 to Tk25,000 in the face of inflation and price increases for basic necessities.
On Wednesday, a worker from Mirpur told this reporter that the wage board is delaying in assuring a lower salary increase and that the date is constantly changing as a result.
Labour leaders against vandalism
Labour leaders said that they don’t support any vandalism. The type of unrest which is going on is currently against the interests of the industry and the workers.
Sirajul Islam Rony said that may be a third party or vested interest groups are trying to take advantage through this unrest.
“I think workers’ unions aren’t involved with this kind of movement. It is provoked by outsiders who are against the development of the industry,” he added.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, IndustriAll Bangladesh Council (IBC) Central Member Salauddin Swapan the wage board was formed in April but still they can’t finalize the wage.
“The owners are delaying as the national election is ahead, people will be busy with this,” he added.
“We urged the workers to demonstrate peacefully by engaging with the production procedures of the factories,” he added.
Any political connection?
On Wednesday, BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan Kochi said that a third party is involved with this vandalism. They are against the development of the industry.
Sirajul Islam Rony told Dhaka Tribune that young boys who are not workers attacked the factories a little after the end of working hours or just before that.
What do manufacturers say?
The manufacturers said that as the board is discussing wages they will accept the wages decided by the board. But now such vandalism is illogical.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Faruque Hassan, president of the BGMEA, said they will not backtrack from seeking implementation of Section 13 (1) of the labour law.
“We have spoken to at least 100 federations, they said they are not involved with this vandalism. They are carrying out regular programs for wage increase but they do not support any vandalism and arson attacks,” he added.
He also said that a third party is tactfully involving the workers in these acts by running a campaign of incitement.
“We request all law enforcement agencies to arrest those involved. This industry must be protected for the sake of the owners, workers and the country,” he added.
He also said that they have directed the owners to close the factory as per clause 13/1 if they feel it necessary.
Will factories reopen on Saturday?
Faruque Hassan said that they instructed the manufacturers to reopen the factory units which either closed due to vandalism or declared general holidays to avoid vandalism.
“We instructed them to reopen factories. After reopening on Saturday, if any workers of the factories start protests or are attacked by outsiders, then they can shut their factories under Section 13/1 of the Labour Act,” he added.
Former president of the BGMEA Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin, MP, told the media that they asked the government to protect the lives of workers and the factories from this rampant destruction.
He said it was the government’s duty to take immediate steps to deal with this matter.
