Bangladesh News

Opposing Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association’s (BGMEA) earlier threat to shut down garment units for an indefinite period, most of the factory owners yesterday sought government’s immediate intervention to prevent further unrest in the industry.
The garment owners feared there might be more violence in the country’s 75 per cent foreign exchange earning sector, especially on October 15 and 16, as some labour organisations called strike for the days.

Some owners warned of ‘mass movement of owners and workers’ if the violence in the garment sector continues.

Criticising the government’s failure to protect the industry from the frequent violence during the last six months, the owners urged taking stringent security measures.

The owners also criticised the 14-party opposition alliance for ’supporting’ the workers’ strike.

At an emergency meeting presided over by BGMEA President SM Fazlul Hoque in the capital yesterday, garment owners gave their opinions to take ‘proper’ action against the unrest.

Earlier, following workers attacked on around 100 factories on October 10, BGMEA threatened to close down their factories for an indefinite period if the government fails to punish the people responsible for ransacking garment factories within 48 hours.

“I will meet the state minister for home affairs today [Wednesday] night to discuss the issue,” the association president yesterday said, adding that he will also meet opposition leaders and labour leaders.

“Garment factories run with time. We have to maintain time at every stage of our production. So, it will not bring solution if we shut down our industries”, said Azizul Islam, a garment owner.

He blamed the government for not taking adequate security measures to prevent unrest in the garment industry.

Anwarul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, former vice-president of BGMEA, is also against keeping the factories closed. “If the government can prevent grand rallies, why can’t they prevent such unrest in the garment sector?” he said.

“If the political parties demonstrate with oars, sticks and sickles to get their rights, why don’t we call such a movement against so-called workers’ unrest”? Rashid Ahmed Hossaini of Nexus Group said.

He warned of ‘mass movement of owners and workers’ if the violence in the garment sector continues.

Harun-or-Rashid Chowdhury, former vice president of BGMEA, demanded that the government provide tight security at the factories.

“The government should investigate where they [workers' leaders] get the funds and who guide them towards destruction,” BGMEA President SM fazlul Hoque said, adding, “They are trying to destroy the faith of buyers to shift the $8 billion export industry from Bangladesh.”

At Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, Jirabo, Malibagh and Old Dhaka, the law enforcers recently prevented the angry workers from destructive activities while in some other areas their role was questionable, Hoque said.