RMG owners, labour leaders reach consensus on 5 points

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FE Report Readymade garment (RMG) factory owners and labour leaders Saturday pledged to work together against any kind of volatility in and conspiracy against the garment sector. At a joint press briefing in the city Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers' and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and labour leaders said they have reached a consensus on five points. According to the consensus, both the parties would work together to calm down the worker unrest which recently created a volatile situation in the sector. They also agreed to thwart any kind of domestic or international conspiracy against the industry. In the press briefing, the leaders said some opportunists were spreading rumours for their personal gains which the owners and the labour leaders would foil jointly. The leaders also urged the government to find out the culprits and bring them to book. At the briefing the owners promised to clear payment of salaries and festival bonus before Eid-ul Azha. The labour leaders urged the wage board authorities to declare new wages for the workers. They were assured that all the owners would also implement new wages in their respective factories immediately after they are declared. BGMEA president Md. Atiqul Islam, former president Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and over 40 trade union leaders were present at the press briefing. 10 more RMG units shut in Gazipur Meanwhile, UNB from Gazipur adds: Production was suspended at 10 readymade garment (RMG) factories in Gazipur city and on its outskirts Sripur on Saturday morning as violence over minimum wage erupted afresh. Police said workers of a garment factory demanding minimum wage of Tk 8,000 brought out a procession in Etahata area of the city in the morning and then put up barricade on the Dhaka-Tangail Highway, disrupting vehicular movement. Later, the agitating workers vandalised a factory named SQ Celsius. On information, police rushed to the spot and dispersed the workers by charging baton and lobbing teargas canisters. Apprehending further trouble, authorities of five factories in the area declared holiday for their staff for Saturday. On the other hand, workers of three garment factories blocked the Dhaka-Mymensingh Highway in Nayonpur MC Bazar area of Sripur upazila for half an hour in the morning and later they were dispersed by police. As sequel to the incident, authorities of five garment units in the area declared holiday for the day. Required number of law enforcers, including BGB and Rab, were patrolling the areas to thwart any untoward situation.