The manufacturers of the readymade garment (RMG) industry have agreed to implement section 13 (1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, which reads “no work no pay”.
According to the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, the owner can partially or fully close a branch or division of an establishment due to an “illegal” strike and the workers participating in the strike will not receive any wages.
On Wednesday, around 45 garment factories in the Savar and Ashulia industrial areas were indefinitely closed, with 60 others declaring a general holiday.
According to the sources, of the 60, 25 or more factories declared holidays on a “no work no pay” basis.
Talking to Dhaka Tribune, Abdulla Hil Rakib, senior vice-president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the manufacturers waited for a long time and didn’t implement section 13(1).
“We wanted to resolve the protests through negotiation. Now it seems that the time has come to declare Article 13 (1). Manufacturers implemented this by informing the BGMEA to pave the way for a dialogue between the workers and owners,” he added.
He also said that several big factories saw results after they implemented Section 13 (1), they closed the factories under this section, then reopened after negotiations and normal operations are going on.
“We think if the manufacturers use this clause, they might get a result very soon. We tried our best to solve the problem by leaving the factory open, but that didn't really work in the end,” he added.
Discussions with local political leaders
Rakib said that they will sit with the local politicians as they think BNP, Awami League or other political groups may be involved here.
“We will discuss with them today (Wednesday night). We tried to contact the leaders from all parties, though we couldn't contact Awami League representatives. BNP leader Dr Dewan Salahuddin will be present,” he added.
Regarding the acceptance of the major demands for the Ashulia region, he said that since the problem is localized, they have tried to solve Ashulia’s problem first.
“However, we have made committees in all the zones, and they will give feedback by today, if there is a problem in those zones, will we give the same treatment there too or not,” he added.
The main focus of Wednesday’s discussion will be what is the ultimate result of the announcement they made regarding the acceptance of the demands and they will also ask the labour leaders how much control they have over the workers and their protests.
“At the same time, we will discuss with the zonal committee and take the next decision. A consolidated decision will then be possible within 2-1 days,” he added.
Several discussions on cards
BGMEA's senior vice president said that they want to organize a combined meeting of four ministries within the next week.
Moreover, on Saturday, the Labour Advisor is scheduled to visit BGMEA to discuss with the manufacturers and the workers.
He also said that they expect the solution will be soon.
Moreover, they are trying to involve more ministries and governments in the discussions as the RMG sector is a national asset.
Regarding the buyers, he said that they are worried and they also want a meeting.
“We have a plan to sit with the buyers next week, most probably Sunday or Monday,” he added.
Meanwhile, at a meeting at the Labour Ministry on Wednesday, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment. Said that a committee has been established to monitor and address labor issues and complaints in both the Ready-Made Garment (RMG) and non-RMG sectors.
Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, Home Affairs Adviser Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhtar, and Industry Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan, along with relevant ministry secretaries.
“During the previous government's tenure, workers lost confidence in the Labor Department and Labor Court due to various reasons. We need to restore that trust through structural reforms, though that will be a long-term process,” he added.
He also said that in the interim, the newly formed committee will allow workers to submit their grievances directly to the appropriate authorities.
The committee, headed by an Additional Secretary from the Labor Division, includes three labor leaders, two Supreme Court lawyers, and two representatives from employers.
On Wednesday, protests continued at several garments in the major industrial hubs.
Miscreants set fire to a warehouse of a readymade garment factory in the Bhabanipur area of Gazipur.
The fire broke out at the warehouse of Big Boss garment factory around 1pm, confirmed Tasharaf Hossain, station master of the Kashimpur fire service in Gazipur.
Chief Adviser’s take
In televised speech to the nation, Professor Yunus acknowledged the pains of workers and said that the government wants to take the pharmaceutical and garment industries to their potential peak and there is no question of weakening these two key industries.
“The pharmaceutical and garment industries are the pride of the country. Through this, our workers' brothers and sisters and their hard work have impressed the world. Its success has now hindered. We want to remove the obstacles by identifying the problems of these two industries,” he said.
He also said that they will gather foreign buyers and seek their cooperation so that these two industries of Bangladesh can become more reliable than other countries in the world.
“Everything is possible if we can make the labor-owner relationship a good one,” he said.
He said the first month of the government has passed and from the second month they want to start a new labor-owner relationship as part of building a new Bangladesh.
“It is desired by everyone in the country. We are working towards that goal so that the new generation of the country can move forward with their future without fear,” Prof Yunus said.
