Labour leaders from various organizations have urged the government to take decisive action against those causing unrest in major hubs of the readymade garment (RMG) sector. They said that a group of outsiders, attempting a hostile takeover of RMG outsourcing activities, are inciting workers to disrupt operations.
These concerns were voiced during a meeting on Tuesday with Labour and Employment Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan and Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter. Leaders from nearly 38 labour organizations attended the meeting.
Amirul Haque Amin, president of the National Garment Workers’ Federation (NGWF), shared details of the discussion with the Dhaka Tribune. He emphasized that genuine workers do not engage in protests or block roads, but rather, an external group with vested interests is instigating these actions.
Despite joint operations by the army and police, about 60-70 garment factories were forced to close on Tuesday due to worker protests fueled by these outsiders. The situation was calm in the industrial zones of Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur in the morning, but protests reignited by noon, leading factory authorities to declare a holiday.
Amirul Haque Amin pointed out that ruling political parties have traditionally controlled the lucrative "jhut" (fabric waste) business and other outsourcing activities like providing meals at factories.
He noted that local Awami League leaders had managed these operations in Ashulia and Gazipur for the last 15 years. However, with the change in government, these leaders have gone into hiding and are now attempting to incite unrest among workers to regain control.
Some local BNP leaders are also reportedly trying to stir up trouble, according to Amin, who stressed that the industry wants to put an end to this culture of manipulation. He suggested that factories should handle their own lunch and tiffin services instead of relying on external providers.
During the meeting, the Labour and Livestock Advisers assured the labour leaders that they would take action and urged patience regarding other demands, including the provision of rationing.
Meanwhile, the Superintendent of Police for Dhaka district visited factories in Ashulia, Savar, and Dhamrai on Tuesday to assess security.
Additionally, a delegation from the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), led by its President Mohammad Hatem, met with Home Affairs Adviser Lt. General Jahangir Alam Chowdhury to discuss the situation.
Hatem identified the jhut business as the primary cause of the unrest, with various groups trying to exploit the current political transition. He called for the establishment of a dedicated contact person and hotline within the Ministry of Home Affairs to address issues swiftly and ensure cooperation when chaos arises.
