The apex apparel body has called for workers and labour representatives not to pay heed to any rumours and abstain from factory work amid the student movement.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) during a meeting with more than 150 field-level labour representatives at its Uttara office made the call Saturday.
BGMEA president SM Mannan Kochi, and vice-presidents Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Nasir Uddin and Abdullah Hil Rakib, among others, were present there.
When asked, Mr Rakib said they discussed the current anarchic situation that has already put a pernicious impact on the industry and the entire supply chain.
"We are facing difficulties in making shipments timely as export-import activities are getting affected severely," he said after the meeting.
They requested the workers through labour representatives, who are directly connected with workers, to persuade workers not to listen to any rumours and be absent from work.
Responding to a query, Mr Rakib said rumours circulated on social media and different WhatsApp groups asking workers not to go to factories for work.
In case of suspension of production or shutdown of factories again, he said, "It'd be difficult to reopen amid the ongoing crisis and make shipments timely." In that case, factories might be unable to pay workers and all stakeholders, including factories and the industry as a whole, will suffer, he added.
"So, we have sought their cooperation in continuing floor work peacefully," cited Mr Rakib.
Sammilita Garment Sramik Federation general secretary Khadija Akter said the BGMEA sought their support to maintain a congenial working climate at factories.
"It [BGMEA] also requested us to convince workers not to believe any rumours and come out on streets," she told the FE.
At the meeting, labour representatives demanded that no wages be cut for factory closure for four days amid the violent-taming curfew, said Ms Khadija.
"The BGMEA leaders have assured them that no wages would be cut for general holidays."
She, however, said that workers were in panic amid the ongoing anarchism as they had to go back home at night after 8:00 or 10:00 pm.
Earlier, the apparel advocacy group also convened a meeting with the labour leaders associated with IndustriALL Bangladesh Council (IBC) last Thursday.
At the meeting, former IBC leader Kutub Uddin requested the BGMEA to ask its member factories to clear all due payments and not to terminate any worker at this time.
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