55 RMG units shut amid unrest
Resume work or face stringent action, govt warns workers
The readymade garment owners yesterday decided to shut down its 55 factories in Ashulia industrial area for an indefinite period under the labour law following work abstention by RMG working demanding higher wages. Earlier in the morning, several thousand workers assembled at Jamgara area of Ashulia demanding a minimum Tk 16,000 monthly wage. Police baton charged and used tear shells to disperse the demonstrators and bring the situation under control. Several people were injured during sporadic clashes with police.
President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Siddiqur Rahman announced the decision at a press conference at its office in the capital.
The 55 garment factories have been shut down under the provision 13(1) of the labour law. These factories would remain close until the workers come back to their respective jobs. The workers will not get any salary during this time, he said.
The factories will be opened when the workers will come back. They will not get salaries as per labour law as long as they will remain absent from the work, he added.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Labour Mujibul Haque Chunnu has threatened garment workers with tough measures if they do not return to work.
He said this at a press conference held at the secretariat yesterday, urging workers to immediately return to their workplaces.
Well take legal actions if they dont heed to my request, the minister said.
He said that the minimum wage for the RMG workers was raised several times in the past. Demands, he said, must to be presented in line with the labour laws.
But the government so far has not received any demand from the workers, he added.
We are saying that if the trade unions and federation are not aware of this programme, then who are the people behind the protest? We will find out who these people are, who are intentionally causing damage to this vital sector, he said.
Among the factories that decided to shutdown operation were Ha-Meem, Setara Group, Bando Design, Star Link Creation, De Rose, Pioneer, Washing Design, Palmal Group, Safa Knit, Dong Xiang and Envoy factories. The factories are situated in Jamgorha, Norshinghopur and Beron areas of Ashulia.
BGMEA president, at the press conference, pointed out that the government, BGMEA, factory owners and other stakeholders met the workers leaders several times to reach a consensus on the issue, but the workers did not keep their commitments to return to work.
In reply to a query, Siddiqur Rahman said, I would urge the workers to come back to their jobs and discuss with the owners to settle the matter. BGMEA will try to resolve the problems.
He further said that the house rent of the locality will not increase for the next three years in Ashulia industrial area as the house owners would not hike their rents as per a consensus reached on this issue.
BGMEA president also said that he does not see any connection or involvement of the trade union bodies in this matter. Regarding the labour rights, the BGMEA chief said, all the factory owners would strictly follow the labour law to meet the rights of the workers.
If any worker does not get his/her wages, he/she can claim to the BGMEA or directorate of labour and it will be addressed immediately, he added.
During the last nine days, the government and other stakeholders tried to reach an understanding over the issue but no positive outcome was reached, he said.
Regarding the forming of trade union in the factories, he said, As per the labour law (Amendment), the workers are responsible to form the body but the workers do have a proper idea about it.
Under these circumstances, the owners willingly form trade union bodies in their respective factories, he said.
The BGMEA president demanded exemplary punishment for those involved in the conspiracy to destablise and destroy the congenial atmosphere of the factories as well as demanded sufficient security for the factory owners.
BGMEA president sought cooperation of all the workers and their leaders to take responsibility to carry out their work, avoiding any kinds of subversive activities in the greater interest of the countrys economy.
Meanwhile, Garment Sramik Coordination Council held a press conference at Ashulia Press Club at noon to press home their demands.
Council coordinator Sarwar Hossain urged the RMG workers to return to their work from Wednesday as they have received assurance from the government over meeting their demands.
He said that the leaders would continue the discussion with the government and at the same time they would go back to their jobs.
Earlier in the morning, several thousand workers gathered at the Jamgara area of Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital to stage a demonstration to press home their demand for a minimum Tk 16,000 monthly salary instead of the current Tk 5,300.
But police dispersed them and locked in a clash with the workers, leaving several people injured. The agitated workers hurled brickbats at the police and the garment factories. Police fired tear shell gas and charged batons to bring the situation under control.
Police brought the situation under control soon and continued their patrolling throughout the day to fend off any further mishap.
Later, the coordination council made announcements through megaphones urging the workers to go back to work. Talking to The Independent, workers leaders Moshrefa Mishu said, The announcement of the BGMEA is an unjust decision. They cannot take the workers to the factory under threat or by setting conditions.
She said the workers would go back to their respective jobs after getting assurance from the factory owners. She further said that despite the prime ministers declaration to raise their wages, no initiatives have been taken so far.
The price of daily commodities is increasing rapidly and it has become difficult for the workers to lead their lives on such small wages, she stressed.
Its really unfortunate for the workers who have kept the factories alive. But they are deprived of their due wages, she said. Another worker leader Nazma Akter said, We request the government to reach a consensus so that the interest of both the owner and the workers are not hampered.
Stray incidents of violence and agitation by apparel workers demanding salary hike took place for five days at a stretch in different areas of Gazipur, Savar and Narayanganj that caused an estimated loss of Taka 300 crore in 2013, BGMEA had claimed at that time.
Closure of nearly 3,000 apparel factories due to work abstention by the workers from September 21 to 25, 2013, arson attacks on 25 apparel factories and damage of at least 70 vehicles of 65 factories by outraged workers caused a huge financial loss to the industry during that agitation.
