A group is trying to create chaos in the garment sector: BGMEA

If workers do not return to work, factory owners can keep their factories closed from Sunday under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act. Worker unrest and protests have disrupted production in various factories in Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur. BGMEA and BKMEA, the two organisations of garment factory owners, announced the decision. Under this section, workers get no wages while a factory stays closed.

Leaders of the two organisations made the announcement at an emergency press conference at the BGMEA head office in Uttara, Dhaka, yesterday, Saturday. Before that, the two organisations held a joint meeting on the current situation. About 200 factory owners joined it.

BGMEA President Mr. Mahmud Hasan Khan said normal production is disrupted in factories in Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur because of worker unrest and protests. Owners face a tough situation as they cannot keep their factories running. He said owners of factories in these areas told BGMEA that they will have to keep factories closed under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act.

Yesterday, 55 factories were already declared closed under this section. Production was also stopped in another 92 factories because of worker protests. Mr. Khan said that from November 15, owners of factories where production is not possible can keep them closed under Section 13(1). Workers will not get wages when a factory is closed under this section. That means no work and no wages.

Mr. Khan alleged that a group is trying to create chaos in the garment industry. He said the garment industry is the main driver of the country’s economy and export earnings. Problems have been building in this sector for the last 7 to 12 days. He said they noticed with concern that a group is trying to create chaos over the minimum wage.

He said normal production is disrupted especially in the factories of Savar, Ashulia and Gazipur. If this continues, the industry may collapse. He called on everyone, including civil society, to come forward to save the industry.

Mr. Khan also said owners will place their proposal at the third meeting of the wage board next Monday. But if chaos continues in the industrial areas, they will discuss and decide whether to join the board’s talks.

Earlier, on Friday, a joint press conference of an alliance of five workers’ organisations urged workers to stay patient and calm. Worker leaders said the wage board is working to set a fair wage. They said workers should not join any act that may disrupt this process. Workers must also stay away from provocation and sabotage.

They urged workers to return to work to give the wage board room for talks. At the same time, they told owners that protests are going on in only one or two places now. They said the way to solve problems through talks must stay open.

Garment workers have been protesting since last month, demanding higher wages. The government formed the minimum wage board on November 1. At the second meeting of the board last Monday, the workers’ representative proposed a minimum wage of Tk 32,000. The third meeting is due next Monday. Conditions in industrial areas improved somewhat after the wage board talks began, but they have not fully calmed down.