Normalcy returns to industrial hub at Ashulia
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
FE Report
Normalcy returned in the industrial hub at Ashulia after two days of unrest, as most of the factories resumed their production Tuesday amid additional security measures, police said.
Sources of Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said some 60 factories, which were shut down Monday as violence spreads in the area, have started their production in the presence of large deployment of law enforcers.
They said the garment manufactures had decided to close their units in the area to avoid painful experience of June 27 unrest that caused a loss of Tk 2.0 billion as unruly workers damaged a number of factories and had also set fire on three big factories during the four-day rampage.
Two RMG (readymade garment) workers were also killed and hundred others were injured in those violent incidents.
Following the workers unrest, a delegation of BGMEA in the morning sat in an emergency meeting with state minister for law Kamrul Islam at Savar office of the local lawmaker Murad Jong where they sought government's cooperation to protect the sector which were repeatedly attacked by conspirators, BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy told the FE.
The recent violence had started on Sunday morning as the authorities of Envoy group, owned by BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy, denied entry to two of its workers as they were late in reporting for duty.
"The state minister assured us of taking necessary steps in providing security to the industry in the meeting," The BGMEA president said and added, "The minister also ordered law enforcers to increase their vigilance in the area so that such incidents are not repeated."
He said the garment owners are doing business in the country by following the country's labour law and the constitution and the government's responsibilities are to protect them.
Mr. Murshedy feared that the conspirators might try to instigate the workers again tomorrow when his factory, Envoy group, re-opena for production.
Normalcy returned in the industrial hub at Ashulia after two days of unrest, as most of the factories resumed their production Tuesday amid additional security measures, police said.
Sources of Bangladesh Garment Manufactures and Exporters Association (BGMEA) said some 60 factories, which were shut down Monday as violence spreads in the area, have started their production in the presence of large deployment of law enforcers.
They said the garment manufactures had decided to close their units in the area to avoid painful experience of June 27 unrest that caused a loss of Tk 2.0 billion as unruly workers damaged a number of factories and had also set fire on three big factories during the four-day rampage.
Two RMG (readymade garment) workers were also killed and hundred others were injured in those violent incidents.
Following the workers unrest, a delegation of BGMEA in the morning sat in an emergency meeting with state minister for law Kamrul Islam at Savar office of the local lawmaker Murad Jong where they sought government's cooperation to protect the sector which were repeatedly attacked by conspirators, BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy told the FE.
The recent violence had started on Sunday morning as the authorities of Envoy group, owned by BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy, denied entry to two of its workers as they were late in reporting for duty.
"The state minister assured us of taking necessary steps in providing security to the industry in the meeting," The BGMEA president said and added, "The minister also ordered law enforcers to increase their vigilance in the area so that such incidents are not repeated."
He said the garment owners are doing business in the country by following the country's labour law and the constitution and the government's responsibilities are to protect them.
Mr. Murshedy feared that the conspirators might try to instigate the workers again tomorrow when his factory, Envoy group, re-opena for production.