BGMEA threatens shutdown if Ashulia violence continues
Dhaka, June 14 (UNB) – Leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Thursday threatened to close down all the industrial units in Ashulia if the ongoing unrest cannot be contained by Sunday.
“We’ll be watching the situation in Ashulia on Saturday and Sunday…if it continues, we’ll shut down the factories,” BGMEA president M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin told reporters during a briefing.
The press briefing was held after a meeting of the association at the BGMEA Bhaban.
“If it (violence) resumes,” he warned, “All the factories in Ashulia will be closed down for an indefinite period as par section 13(a) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, from Monday.”
Terming those involved in the unrest “criminals”, the BGMEA president said the owners can take action even under the criminal procedures against them, if needed. If the unrest spread outside Ashulia, factories in those areas would also be closed down, he added.
Shafiul pointed out that he believed 99 percent of the workers are industrious, but some “forces from outside” have been trying to derail them.
AK Azad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers and Commerce (FBCCI), said the recent hike in house rents in Ashulia could be a major reason behind the unrest of the workers.
He pointed out that house lords in Ashulia have increased the rent three times in recent times which was very unusual and prompted the workers to demand a rise in their wages, he explained.
“The state minister for Home has already visited Ashulia to observe the situation on the prime minister’s order,” said Azad, adding that now the ball is in the court of the workers.
Mohammad Hatem, acting president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and seven former presidents of BGMEA were also present at the briefing.
“We’ll be watching the situation in Ashulia on Saturday and Sunday…if it continues, we’ll shut down the factories,” BGMEA president M Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin told reporters during a briefing.
The press briefing was held after a meeting of the association at the BGMEA Bhaban.
“If it (violence) resumes,” he warned, “All the factories in Ashulia will be closed down for an indefinite period as par section 13(a) of the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, from Monday.”
Terming those involved in the unrest “criminals”, the BGMEA president said the owners can take action even under the criminal procedures against them, if needed. If the unrest spread outside Ashulia, factories in those areas would also be closed down, he added.
Shafiul pointed out that he believed 99 percent of the workers are industrious, but some “forces from outside” have been trying to derail them.
AK Azad, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers and Commerce (FBCCI), said the recent hike in house rents in Ashulia could be a major reason behind the unrest of the workers.
He pointed out that house lords in Ashulia have increased the rent three times in recent times which was very unusual and prompted the workers to demand a rise in their wages, he explained.
“The state minister for Home has already visited Ashulia to observe the situation on the prime minister’s order,” said Azad, adding that now the ball is in the court of the workers.
Mohammad Hatem, acting president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), and seven former presidents of BGMEA were also present at the briefing.
Comments
No Comments on this News
