Violence in the Garment Sector Is Part of a Planned Campaign of Political Conspiracy, Anti-State Activities: Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the ongoing incidents in the garment sector do not constitute a normal labour movement. Rather, he described them as a planned campaign of political violence, conspiracy and anti-state activities aimed at destabilising the country by using ordinary workers The minister made the remarks on Wednesday while briefing journalists after an inter-ministerial meeting at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications in the Bangladesh Secretariat to review the draft Cyber Security (Amendment) Act 2026.

He said garment workers currently had no unresolved demands, but certain quarters were conspiring to create instability in the industrial sector. According to the minister, ordinary workers were not involved in the disorder and violence. Instead, some outsiders and non-workers were carrying out unwarranted attacks, arson and acts of vandalism in the name of labour protests He said investigations had indicated the involvement of several garment factory owners, former lawmakers, ministers and state ministers from the previous Awami League government, allegedly acting in pursuit of a direct political agenda. He also alleged that mafia groups and reactionary forces were attempting to implement conspiracies directed from a neighbouring country to destabilise Bangladesh. The government has instructed the authorities to take a firm stance against such anti-state violence, he added.

The minister further said the garment workers’ principal demand was the formation of a wage board every three years to set a new minimum wage. The government had initiated the process well in advance. Although the formation of the board was slightly delayed because workers’ representatives took some time to submit their nominees, it was constituted immediately after receiving the names. Its first meeting has already been held successfully. The board, headed by an official holding the rank of Senior District Judge, includes representatives of both employers and workers. It is working towards implementing a new wage structure from January 1, 2027, taking into account inflation, the economic situation and the cost of living.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the prime minister was strongly committed to workers’ welfare and the interests of industry. She had issued clear instructions to consider these matters with priority given to improving workers’ living standards and ensuring their overall well-being. The government’s primary objectives, he said, were to increase exports, achieve economic prosperity and create new employment opportunities. The home minister said the government had recently held lengthy and productive discussions with garment factory owners, as well as detailed talks with labour leaders. Both sides had agreed that such destructive activities did not represent a genuine movement by ordinary workers. Rather, he alleged, workers were being used as a shield to serve the political interests of certain groups.

Speaking about the role of law enforcement agencies in controlling the situation, the minister said the government was handling the unwanted developments with considerable patience. Security forces had been given clear and strict instructions not to use excessive force under any circumstances. Despite many members of the forces sustaining serious injuries and receiving hospital treatment, they had shown restraint and refrained from using force against workers, he said. However, he warned that no leniency would be shown to mafia groups or criminal networks.

In view of the overall situation, the minister urged ordinary workers not to be influenced by provocations or rumours and to return to their respective workplaces immediately. He said their return would keep industrial production running, safeguard their own jobs and protect the national economy. Responding to a question from journalists about the detention of journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, the home minister said that, if he had been detained, the necessary legal steps were being taken because there must be specific allegations against him. The matter would be examined in accordance with the law, he added. Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam and Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, among others, were present at the press briefing.