The readymade garment (RMG) industrial areas of Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur saw a return to normalcy on Thursday after more than two weeks of unrest. Factory workers reported to work without causing disruptions, according to industry officials.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) stated that by Thursday afternoon, 20 factories in Ashulia and Savar had closed, down from 27 the day before. In Gazipur, two factories were shut, compared to three on Wednesday, confirmed BGMEA director Mohiuddin Rubel.
In Savar and Ashulia, 12 of the 20 closed factories were shut under Section 13(1) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, which follows a “no work, no pay” rule. The other eight factories opened but closed again when workers refused to work.
Despite these closures, 95% of the 407 factories in Savar and Ashulia were still operational. In Gazipur, 99.77% of the 876 factories were functioning. Nationally, 99% of factories, or 2,124 out of 2,144, were operating normally.
Several well-known factories closed under Section 13(1), including Pearl Garments Ltd, Generation Next Ltd, Radiance Jeans, and Shin Shin Apparels Ltd. Others, such as Mascot Garments, Newage Group, and Knit Asia Ltd, opened but later closed when workers left.
BGMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel told Dhaka Tribune that most workers’ demands have been addressed, and the situation is gradually stabilizing. However, he noted that some factories are still repairing damage from recent unrest and are taking more time to reopen.
He acknowledged the efforts of law enforcement, especially the collaboration between the police and army, which has been beneficial for the industry. He added that now the army has magistracy power, which is helping maintain order.
Rubel also pointed out that isolated incidents are common in the RMG sector, even in normal times. He emphasized that the current disruptions are minimal compared to the number of operational factories and expects the situation to fully normalize by next week.
Issues should be resolved through dialogue
Mohiuddin Rubel also said that the issues at the RMG sector always should be resolved through dialogue between the entrepreneurs and the workers.
“There should always be a sincere relationship between us as we are the same family. We all have a single goal – the interests of the country. So, I think entrepreneurs and workers - everyone needs to understand everyone's limitations and capacity,” he added.
He also said that the workers will not have the thought of stopping work and blocking the road to demonstrate their demands, in the same way, there will be no tendency among the entrepreneurs to get the work done with less benefits.
US trade platforms write to chief adviser
On September 17, two US trade platforms, the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) and Fair Labor Association (FLA), wrote a letter to the Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus urging critical and long-lasting steps towards reforms for furthering worker rights of international standards.
They urged to immediately release the workers who remain under arrest from the Fall 2023 protests over the minimum wage, including the removal of all criminal charges against those arrested during the Fall 2023 protests over the minimum wage.
“We further urge the interim government to end the threat of arrest for thousands more workers related to the Fall 2023 minimum wage protests by immediately canceling the “First Information Reports” related to those workers,” the letter read.
They recommend the interim government to move swiftly this year to a transparent and regular annual minimum wage review mechanism for the garment, footwear, and travel goods industries, with all stakeholders – employers, the government, and workers.
In contrast to the current five-year review, the mechanism will enable the government to better respond to current economic circumstances without imposing sudden, huge burdens on the industry or workers, the letter read.
“The implementation of a regular and transparent wage review mechanism would promote both the short- and long-term health and stability of the Bangladeshi garment, footwear, and travel goods industry,” read the letter.
The platforms urged to promote harmonious industrial relations and prevent future unrest through quickly restart of the tripartite discussions on the Bangladesh Labor Act and bring the law into line with international labor standards.
Those reforms should simplify the creation and registration of independent trade unions, including a significant reduction of the registration threshold.
“We also urge the government to increase penalties for unfair labor practices and extend full labor rights to workers in the Export Processing Zones (EPZ),” the letter added.
Steve Lamar, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of AAFA, and Jeff Vockrodt, president and CEO of FLA, signed the letter.
