RMG Violence: Both workers, owners push their causes harder
Dhaka, June 18 (UNB) – Though the weeklong violent protests by RMG workers in Ashulia industrial belt has apparently calmed down, both the owners and workers push their own causes harder, clouding the prospect of the fast-growing apparel industry.
Production in over 300 units remained suspended as the owners, in response to a call by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), shut down the factories for an indefinite period since Sunday.
BGMEA leaders on Monday decided to continue the closure after a meeting with factory owners of the Ashulia and other industrial belts in the country. The meeting was held at BGMEA Bhaban in the evening.
Abdus Salam Murshedi, former president of BGMEA, told UNB that representatives of the factory owners in Ashulia were determined to continue the closure, while the factory owners of other industrial belts also expressed their solidarity with the decision.
“The factory owners of Dhaka and the adjoining regions have handed over a symbolic key to the BGMEA president,” he said, “In apprehension of incidents similar to Ashulia, they gave him the authority to close down factories anywhere across the country if he thinks it necessary.”
Asked about the workers’ demand for reopening the factories in Ashulia and resolving the wage dispute through discussions, he said, “We’ve gone through enough of discussion, but that didn’t produce any result. We’re helpless.”
“The factory owners want to be ensured of their security… they’ll consider the question of reopening the factories only if those, whoever they might be, behind vandalising are brought to the book,” he added.
Siddiqur Rahman, second vice-president of BGMEA, earlier told the agency, “The owners won’t reopen the factories until the government can ensure the security in the factory areas.”
About the losses suffered by the owners due to the violence in Ashulia, he said, “We’re yet unable to give you any idea about the amount of the losses… The most worrying thing is that the standstill is giving a wrong message to the world, it’s done a lot to tarnish the image of our industry.”
Meanwhile, UNB Savar correspondent reported that there were heavy police presence and patrolling across the area all day long.
Police in their overnight drives arrested 15 people in connection with the labour unrest in the area. So far, police have filed three cases against some 13,000 workers and 24 BNP leaders in connection with the violence over the last three days. Another case was filed by Masranga Television in connection with the vandalising of its microbus.
Md. Fayzul Kadir, deputy director of the Industrial Police 1, told the correspondent that there has been no violence or protest by the workers on Monday.
About 1,500 members of the police and industrial police are on high alert, along with several teams of the RAB, he added. “We’re not expecting any unrest now,” he said.
In Dhaka, different workers’ organisations demanded reopening of the factories in Ashulia and Kanchpur areas, 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.
They also demanded the release of all the leaders arrested in connection with the unrest and the withdrawal of all the false cases filed against them.
The platform announced to hold a grand rally in Dhaka on June 22 if the factories are not reopened by June 20.
Leaders of workers’ unions also threatened to go for tougher programmes across the country if their demands were not met by June 20.
Sammilito Garments Sramik Federation’s president Nazma Akhter told news agency that the livelihood of thousands of garment workers has been put at stake by the closure. “We demand immediate reopening of the factories as well as an increase in the wage,” she said.
The government should play an effective role in convincing the owners for the wage hike demanded by the workers, and resolving the crisis in the industry as quick as possible, she added.
Sources in the Labour Ministry said Labour Minister Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain has called on leaders of workers’ unions for a meeting on the issue at Srama Bhavan at 11:00am on June 20.
Production in over 300 units remained suspended as the owners, in response to a call by Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), shut down the factories for an indefinite period since Sunday.
BGMEA leaders on Monday decided to continue the closure after a meeting with factory owners of the Ashulia and other industrial belts in the country. The meeting was held at BGMEA Bhaban in the evening.
Abdus Salam Murshedi, former president of BGMEA, told UNB that representatives of the factory owners in Ashulia were determined to continue the closure, while the factory owners of other industrial belts also expressed their solidarity with the decision.
“The factory owners of Dhaka and the adjoining regions have handed over a symbolic key to the BGMEA president,” he said, “In apprehension of incidents similar to Ashulia, they gave him the authority to close down factories anywhere across the country if he thinks it necessary.”
Asked about the workers’ demand for reopening the factories in Ashulia and resolving the wage dispute through discussions, he said, “We’ve gone through enough of discussion, but that didn’t produce any result. We’re helpless.”
“The factory owners want to be ensured of their security… they’ll consider the question of reopening the factories only if those, whoever they might be, behind vandalising are brought to the book,” he added.
Siddiqur Rahman, second vice-president of BGMEA, earlier told the agency, “The owners won’t reopen the factories until the government can ensure the security in the factory areas.”
About the losses suffered by the owners due to the violence in Ashulia, he said, “We’re yet unable to give you any idea about the amount of the losses… The most worrying thing is that the standstill is giving a wrong message to the world, it’s done a lot to tarnish the image of our industry.”
Meanwhile, UNB Savar correspondent reported that there were heavy police presence and patrolling across the area all day long.
Police in their overnight drives arrested 15 people in connection with the labour unrest in the area. So far, police have filed three cases against some 13,000 workers and 24 BNP leaders in connection with the violence over the last three days. Another case was filed by Masranga Television in connection with the vandalising of its microbus.
Md. Fayzul Kadir, deputy director of the Industrial Police 1, told the correspondent that there has been no violence or protest by the workers on Monday.
About 1,500 members of the police and industrial police are on high alert, along with several teams of the RAB, he added. “We’re not expecting any unrest now,” he said.
In Dhaka, different workers’ organisations demanded reopening of the factories in Ashulia and Kanchpur areas, 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.
They also demanded the release of all the leaders arrested in connection with the unrest and the withdrawal of all the false cases filed against them.
The platform announced to hold a grand rally in Dhaka on June 22 if the factories are not reopened by June 20.
Leaders of workers’ unions also threatened to go for tougher programmes across the country if their demands were not met by June 20.
Sammilito Garments Sramik Federation’s president Nazma Akhter told news agency that the livelihood of thousands of garment workers has been put at stake by the closure. “We demand immediate reopening of the factories as well as an increase in the wage,” she said.
The government should play an effective role in convincing the owners for the wage hike demanded by the workers, and resolving the crisis in the industry as quick as possible, she added.
Sources in the Labour Ministry said Labour Minister Engineer Khandker Mosharraf Hossain has called on leaders of workers’ unions for a meeting on the issue at Srama Bhavan at 11:00am on June 20.
Comments
No Comments on this News
