The readymade garment industry – top source of Bangladesh’s export revenue – is heating up yet again, after a workers’ rights group announced fresh work abstention from January 1 next year, just a month after the country tackled a massive workers’ movement.
The Sammilita Sramik Parishad (SSP), an alliance of ten labour rights organisations, called the movement on Sunday, and claimed that so far 19 workers’ rights groups and federations expressed solidarity in the programme.
Their demands are trial of those responsible for deaths during the wage hike movement, treatment of injured workers, release of arrested workers, reinstatement of dismissed workers, and review of wages announced in the garment sector in favour of Tk 25,000 minimum wage.
Meanwhile, the activists of the alliance started their campaigns in the Gazipur, Ashulia, Savar areas near RMG factories, and distributed leaflets among the workers. The organiser said they will continue the campaign till December 31.
Blaming police for harassing their activists during the campaign, SSP Chief Coordinator AAM Fayez Hossain told The Business Post, “Four workers were martyred in the recent RMG workers’ unrest, but there is still no investigation.
“Besides, cases have been filed against hundreds of workers, and they are on the run to avoid arrest. The workers have rights to justice, and we are fighting to resolve these issues.”
Fayez further said, “Workers took to the streets to ensure a decent salary considering the soaring inflation. But police attacked them, killed four workers and injured hundreds. Over a hundred workers were sent to prison.
“The new wage structure is insufficient to lead a decent life.”
Commenting on the allegation by some owners and trade unions that the upcoming strike is politically motivated, Fayez said, “We are working just for the workers. We invited all workers’ leaders to our press conference. So, such claims are false.
“I believe that workers will respond to our programme, and after our demands are met, we will return to our workplaces.”
The movement came at a time when the country’s major opposition party and their alliance are observing country-wide non-cooperation movement, blockades and strikes demanding a caretaker government, and boycotting the national poll.
It should be noted that Bangladesh’s export earnings from the last two months have dropped. Despite the circumstances, the apparel sector implemented a new wage structure from this December, but their work orders and price are not up to the mark.
Industry insiders say if the apparel sector faces any further movement, most of the factories will not be able to survive the impact, and many will be forced to shut their doors for good.
Workers leaders, however, said they also do not want any further movement. But if the government does not accept their demands before December 31, they will not have any alternatives but to go for another movement.
Claiming that everyone is using the RMG sector as a political weapon, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Vice President Md Nasir Uddin said, “The sector will not be able to absorb any further unrest or any violence.
“We tackled violence just a month ago, and the new wage structure has been implemented from this month despite a lower volume of work orders. However, some so-called leaders called for work abstention again, and we believe the workers are not supporting this movement.”
Nasir, also the Managing Director of Sadma Group, further said, “If any protest occurs, our workers will protect us, because they know the sector’s ongoing situation.
“We also want justice for workers, but it should come legally. The government will ensure this. We are already in a panic mood. We do not want any further untoward situation in the apparel industry.”
On October 23, workers began protests seeking an increase in wages to help them navigate through skyrocketing inflation. The demonstrations soon turned violent, and continued till November 12.
During the unrest, at least four workers were killed, hundreds got injured, while 26 factories were vandalised, and two were torched. Factory owners and police filed 43 cases against workers and trade union leaders, and 115 workers were sent to prison.
To handle the situation, over a hundred factories were forced to close, and as the situation cooled down following police action, most of the closed factories resumed production from November 15.
On November 26, the wage board set Tk 12,500 as minimum salary for the RMG sector, and reduced the grade from seven to four. Trade unions boycotted the wage structure citing insufficient and announced continued peaceful protests.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) Vice President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said, “Everyone has the right to hold demonstrations, and boycott work. But it should be peaceful.
“We do not want any further incidents of vandalism or violence in the RMG sector for the sake of the country's economy.”
He added, “It is true that workers’ salary should be increased more and we also want the same thing. But due to the ongoing global economic crisis, we could not. Considering the ongoing business situation, many factory owners are unable to bear the new wage structure.
“Workers also know this as they are manufacturing our goods.”
Adding that the BKMEA also agrees with SSP’s demands such as justice for workers, Ehsan said, “We asked owners to withdraw cases against workers who did not commit vandalism.
“And if possible, owners should pay the full November salary to innocent workers despite announcements of lay off.”
