Workers' demo continues despite wage revision

The production in as many as 35 garment factories remained suspended on Monday, a day after the government revised the pay structure

Meanwhile, the workers continued agitation for the eighth consecutive day.

Officials of Industrial Police and Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments confirmed the number of ready-made garment (RMG) factories that remained closed.

Of the closed units, the workers from 10 factories of some leading apparel conglomerates, including Ha-Meem Group, Sharmin Group and Envoy Group, joined the agitation.

The aggrieved workers took position on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway at Jamgora and Narasinghapur of Ashulia, near the capital, at around 8:00 am, creating a tailback on the important road.

However, industrial police members dispersed them within two hours.

Meanwhile, many RMG workers of other factories joined their workstations on Monday.

"Many workers returned to their factories in Savar and Ashulia. Law and order situation in other areas is normal," said superintendent of Dhaka Industrial Police Sana Shaminur Rahman.

But additional police personnel were deployed in front of the factories to avert any untoward situation.

In another incident, garment workers blocked roads and vandalised vehicles in Savar over the rumour of a worker's death after an altercation with a city corporation employee.

The incident took place in front of Bando ECO Apparels Ltd in Turag area of Aminbazar at around 8.00 am on Monday.

A worker of the unit said a city corporation garbage truck crashed into a bus, carrying RMG workers, while taking a U-turn near Salepur Bridge in Aminbazar.

There was a heated exchange between the workers and the truck driver after the incident. Subsequently, a worker named Monowara was pushed by the truck driver during the argument.

After hearing the news of the incident, workers came out of the factory, began to protest and blocked the Dhaka-Aricha Highway.

When rumour of Monowara's death spread, the workers became more agitated. They also vandalised some of the city corporation's garbage trucks, on their way to the dumping ground in Baliarpur, during the protest.

Savar Model Police Station OC Abdul Awal said, "Monowara did not die. But when the rumour of her death spread, the agitated workers became more violent."

However, traffic movement on the highway became normal two hours later, as the police brought the situation under control, he added.

Factory Manager (Compliance) of Bando ECO Apparels Ltd Milton Kazi said Monowara was sent to Shaheed Suhrawardy Medical College and Hospital in Dhaka for treatment, and her injuries were not serious.

"A holiday has been declared at the factory, as the workers have left the unit," he added.

Meanwhile, the apparel makers on Monday decided not to shut their factories from today (Tuesday), as they had earlier threatened to do amid workers' agitation.

"We want to see what happens tomorrow (Tuesday), as majority of the factories remained open on Monday, except a few in Ahsulia and Jamgora," Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Md Siddiqur Rahman told the FE.

He expressed the hope that the agitating workers would join their respective workplaces.

The BGMEA at a press briefing on Sunday threatened to shut down the garment factories for an indefinite period, if the agitating workers did not join their respective workplace from Monday.

Mr Rahman, at the briefing, said the workers would not get wages, if there is no work. The factories would be shut down for an indefinite period in line with the provision 13(1) of Labour Law.

Meanwhile, welcoming the revision of the garment workers' minimum wage structure through an agreement, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Bangladesh office emphasised formulating a wage policy to boost industry competitiveness and strengthen workers' protection.

According to a statement of the country office issued on Monday, the ILO is "encouraged by the government's decision" to review the minimum wages for RMG workers through an agreement reached on January 13 by a special tripartite committee set to examine and resolve the issue.

"We acknowledge the genuine efforts of all parties, led by the Ministry of Labour and Employment, to work towards setting the minimum wages at an appropriate level and to reach a consensus," ILO Bangladesh Country Director Tuomo Poutiainen said in the statement.

Through this tripartite dialogue process, confidence is being built, and the ILO called upon all parties concerned to help the industry resume its activities, he added.

As a pillar of decent work, social dialogue plays a key role in social and economic stability and equity, the ILO country director said, adding it creates a framework for peaceful and orderly procedures by addressing the concerns of workers and employers.

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