RMG workers demand reopening of factories by June 20
Dhaka, June 18 (UNB) – Garment workers on Monday demanded reopening of the factories in Ashulia and Kanchpur areas by June 20, and solution to the current standoff through discussions.
Addressing a press briefing organised by the National Platform to Protect Garment Workers and Industries, union leaders said the factory owners have taken a suicidal step, not only for the owners, but also for the industry as a whole, by declaring the factories closed instead of meeting the logical demands of the workers.
Shafiqul Islam, coordinator of the platform, said although the workers began to join their respective workstations after the tripartite meeting among the representatives of government, owners and workers, the closure of factories on Sunday only worsened the situation.
Pointing out the reasons behind the unrest, he said the actual income of garment workers has shrunk by 30 percent due to rise in prices of essentials, house rent and inflation over the last one and a half years.
Shafiqul demanded a 30 percent wage hike before Ramadan.
“Even if we consider the devaluation of taka against US dollar since the minimum wage was fixed at US$ 43, it (minimum wage) actually stands at Tk 3,650 that means the workers are getting at least Tk 650 less than the minimum wage suggested,” he added.
Speaking at the briefing, Abul Hossain, a leader of the platform, demanded the release of all the leaders arrested in connection with the unrest and the withdrawal of all the false cases filed against them.
“Workers are not the ones to be blamed for the violence,” he said, adding that even the report by the special investigation committee of the Home Ministry has identified the main reasons behind the violence to be labour exploitation and misbehavior of mid-level employees, who serve the purpose of the owners.
He said a national-level tripartite meeting should be held to resolve the problem, and ensure the immediate reopening of the factories.
The platform also announced to hold a protest rally in Dhaka on June 22 if the factories are not reopened by June 20.
Addressing a press briefing organised by the National Platform to Protect Garment Workers and Industries, union leaders said the factory owners have taken a suicidal step, not only for the owners, but also for the industry as a whole, by declaring the factories closed instead of meeting the logical demands of the workers.
Shafiqul Islam, coordinator of the platform, said although the workers began to join their respective workstations after the tripartite meeting among the representatives of government, owners and workers, the closure of factories on Sunday only worsened the situation.
Pointing out the reasons behind the unrest, he said the actual income of garment workers has shrunk by 30 percent due to rise in prices of essentials, house rent and inflation over the last one and a half years.
Shafiqul demanded a 30 percent wage hike before Ramadan.
“Even if we consider the devaluation of taka against US dollar since the minimum wage was fixed at US$ 43, it (minimum wage) actually stands at Tk 3,650 that means the workers are getting at least Tk 650 less than the minimum wage suggested,” he added.
Speaking at the briefing, Abul Hossain, a leader of the platform, demanded the release of all the leaders arrested in connection with the unrest and the withdrawal of all the false cases filed against them.
“Workers are not the ones to be blamed for the violence,” he said, adding that even the report by the special investigation committee of the Home Ministry has identified the main reasons behind the violence to be labour exploitation and misbehavior of mid-level employees, who serve the purpose of the owners.
He said a national-level tripartite meeting should be held to resolve the problem, and ensure the immediate reopening of the factories.
The platform also announced to hold a protest rally in Dhaka on June 22 if the factories are not reopened by June 20.
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