Production at 70 ready-made garment (RMG) factories in Gazipur and Savar
were suspended for Wednesday after workers clashed with cops demanding
implementation of the new salary structure recommended by the
government-appointed wage board. In Gazipur, at least 50 RMG units in the
city suspended their production as the workers of several garment factories
staged demonstrations demanding a hike in their salary in the morning.
Witnesses said garment workers from Konabari, Kashimpur, Laxmipura and
Chandana areas of the city took to the streets and staged demonstrations in
the morning to press for immediate implementation of their new minimum wage
of Tk 5,300. They put up barricade on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway,
disrupting traffic. As police obstructed them, they threw brickbats at
the law enforcers, triggering a clash around 8:30 am that left 10 people
injured. Police lobbed teargas shells and fired rubber bullets to
disperse the demonstrators. Later, the authorities closed 50 factories
for the day. Additional police were deployed in the areas to fend off
further trouble. In Savar, production at 20 garment factories was
suspended following labour unrest on the outskirts of the capital. Police
said the workers of ‘Standard Group’ went on a work abstention and staged
demonstration over the salary hike at Hemayetpur Rishipara in the
morning. At one stage, the agitated workers blocked Dhaka-Singair road,
disrupting vehicular movement. The workers also swooped on ‘Babylon
Group’ and ‘Aman Winter Ltd’ factories and vandalised valuables, including
30 computers, 20 vehicles, close circuit camera, and internet server.
When police tried to disperse them, a chase and counter chase took place
forcing the law enforcers to fire rubber bullets and teargas shells,
leaving 35 people injured. The workers of another garment factory named
‘Azim Group’ staged demonstrations at Birulia near Savar Bus Stand over the
same issue. When the industrial police tried to resist them, a clash
broke out in the area, leaving 15 people injured. Meanwhile, some workers
of readymade garment factories staged demonstration after seeing closure
notices at the main gates of their factories at Kabirpur in Ashulia.
However, all garment factories at Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital
remained closed on Wednesday as per the directive of BGMEA for security
reason. Recently, the board formed to re-fix the minimum wage for the
garment workers at its meeting finalised a new minimum wage structure for
garment at Tk 5,300 which was rejected by the owners.
Meanwhile, Netherlands Ambassador in Dhaka Gerben De Jong on Wednesday said this
November is extremely important for further development in the readymade
garment sector as two important decisions will be taken during the period
which will help Bangladesh become the number one producer in the world.
“Because, in November there are two decisions to be taken – one on joint
standards to inspect factories and secondly the discussion on the minimum
wage,” the envoy told a function in the city. Jong said it will be very
difficult to explain in Europe to consumers and elsewhere if all parties
cannot come together on the issue of standard and safety. “I think we can
be optimistic at this point of time that in November we’ll see a
breakthrough. I’m very much optimistic about the joint standards following
very much leading role of the government,” said the envoy. The diplomat
said it is extremely important to show that there is a just situation in
terms of living wage and minimum wage. He said Bangladesh needs to
address all the issues to grow further and become the first producer
(apparel) in the world, but to get it there is no alternative to
compliance. Jong also laid emphasis on real exchange of information in
following all the processes. Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and
Exporters Association (BGMEA) arranged the discussion ‘Exchange of Views on
Compliance Issues of RMG Sector in Bangladesh’ at the BGMEA conference
room. Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar,
Deputy Chief, Political and Economic Section, Deputy Political and Economic
Counselor at the US Embassy in Dhaka Tobias Glucksman, Country
Representative of Department for International Development (DFID),
Bangladesh Sarah Cooke BGMEA Vice President Reaz-Bin-Mahmood (Sumon) and
BKMEA first vice president M Hatem also spoke on the occasion. BGMEA
President M Atiqul Islam presided. Talking to reporters after the
function, the Commerce Secretary said Bangladesh will submit a progress
report to the US tomorrow (Thursday) on the action plan outlined by the
Obama administration to help Bangladesh regain trade privileges.
“There’re progresses in all the areas. Amendment to the Labour Law is a big
progress and the Aminul case is at final stage and a charge-sheet will be
there soon,” Mahbub Ahmed said. Responding to a question, he said the GSP
scheme has remained suspended and the US will review it. “They didn’t tell
us when the review will be held.” The Commerce Secretary also said, “It’s
a crisis time. We’re passing through a crisis period. We need to work
together.” Mikail Shipar said the government has committed to working
together for overcoming the challenges in the RMG sector. “We’ll take five
steps forward if the owners take one step forward.” The BGMEA President
said they are under stress from different parts. “We need an exit plan.
We’re really helpless. Please give us some time.” – UNB
