Trade bodies slam attack on RMG executive

FE REPORT

Apparel trade bodies and business leaders on Saturday strongly condemned the attack on Mahmud Jeans deputy managing director (DMD) Rafee Mahmud.

Mr Mahmud, also the son of the factory owner, was allegedly beaten up by his workers, who have been demanding their salary arrears, on Thursday evening.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA), Bangladesh Employers' Federation (BEF), Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI),

Bangladesh Garment Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) and Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association (Bayla) slammed the attack.

In a joint statement, they expressed deep concerns, saying: "It was not an attack on any individual but on the entire industry."

"Each and every entrepreneur is shocked at the incident, which will not only discourage new entrepreneurs, but also put a negative impact on foreign direct investment," it reads.

The trade groups pleaded with the transitional government to take punitive steps against wrongdoers and demanded actionable measures to avoid the recurrence of such incidents in future.

They also called for an initiative to ensure safety of the ready-made garment industry along with other industries, alleging that a vested group was engaged in making it unstable.

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