Readymade garment owners are in fear of losing their businesses as Baishamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolon has announced a nationwide non-cooperation movement from Sunday and asked them to close factories and stop production in solidarity.
Sector people said they have already faced over Tk 6,500 crore direct losses in the first phase of the movement and the following curfew, while indirect losses were more than the direct amount. If they again have to shut factories, the sector will not be able to afford further losses.
Amid the situation, apparel makers have urged the protesters to keep export-oriented factories out of their movement’s purview, considering the country’s economy and employment.
Bangladesh has long been suffering from a crisis in foreign exchange reserves and has secured $4.7 billion in support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), which is coming in phases.
During the July-May period of FY2023-24, the country’s exports posted 5.9 per cent year-on-year negative growth and earned $37.34 billion.
In the July-April period of FY24, the apparel sector, which contributes nearly 84 per cent of export earnings, posted 6.7 per cent year-on-year negative growth, according to the central bank’s Balance of Payment (BoP) report.
Students and job seekers, under the banner of Baishamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolon, have been demonstrating since the beginning of July, demanding the cancellation of the reinstatement of the quota system in government jobs.
After suffering attacks allegedly carried out by ruling party supporters and facing a crackdown by law enforcement agencies, the students announced a “complete shutdown” across the nation starting from July 18, which from the next day spiralled out to massive violence across the country as unknown vested quarters used the movement to carry out anti-government acts of sabotage, vandalism and arson.
Following that, the government deployed the army and imposed a strict curfew across the country. The curfew was later scaled back and relaxed as the situation came under control over the past week, bringing back normalcy in life and regular office hours across the board.
Although the curfew brought back stability, students were again in the streets since Wednesday, demanding the release of the movement’s six key coordinators, who were taken into custody by the Detective Branch of police to “ensure their safety”. The six were released on Thursday.
However, on Friday, fresh clashes occurred in Dhaka and several other districts when students across the country observed a day of prayers and brought out protest processions demanding justice for those killed during last month’s violence, which left at least 200 people dead.
That development led the Baishamya Birodhi Chhatra Andolon to announce massive protest rallies in Dhaka and across the country on Saturday.
From a rally at Central Shaheed Minar in the afternoon, the movement’s leaders demanded the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and her cabinet and announced the nationwide non-cooperation movement starting from Sunday until the demand is met.
Talking to The Business Post, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association President SM Mannan Kochi said, “Previously, the export-oriented sector, especially RMG, was always kept out of any political movement. We are earning foreign currency and keeping the country’s economic health well. The export sector has generated over five million jobs.
“Our students are meritorious, and they love Bangladesh. We humbly request them to keep the export sector out of the purview of their movement.”
‘We want peace’
Regarding the situation, Sadma Apparels Managing Director Md Nasir Uddin told The Business Post, “Whether the factories will run or not, it depends on the workers. If they come, we will be able to continue production. Otherwise, we will have to shut down production.
“We are doing business and will be able to earn if factories operate. The state’s responsibility is to create stability in the country in order for us to do business. We want peace.”
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association Vice President Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said, “We are already in a critical situation, and our image has been severely damaged on the international stage due to the recent violence.
“Amid the situation, students again called for a countrywide non-cooperation movement. We do not know what will happen and what we should do.”
Ehsan, also the chief executive officer of Fatullah Apparels, said, “We still have not decided whether the factories will run or not. If any owner wants to continue production and workers want to come to work, they can do it on their own, and it will be their responsibility.”
Al Shahriar Ahmed, the president of Bangladesh Garments Accessories and Packaging Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said, “We are in fear and speechless. We want peace. If the situation prolongs, we will face severe loss.”
Solidarity
Meanwhile, in another development, 48 apparel and textile factory owners, mostly second generation, in a statement on Saturday expressed solidarity “with the ongoing demand by the people of Bangladesh”.
Bangladesh Apparel Youth Leaders Association President and BGMEA Director Abrar Hossain Sayem sent the statement letter to journalists in the evening.
Talking to The Business Post, he said, “As we took consent virtually, we could not attach the signatures of the factory owners. But everyone mentioned [in the statement] agreed to express solidarity.”
“We, as members of the next generation textile and apparel business community of Bangladesh today issued a statement showing solidarity with the ongoing demand by the people of Bangladesh,” read the statement.
“As members of the business community, we cannot stand silent and watch the sad loss of innocent lives and people’s demand go unheard,” it said.
It said, “We reiterate our concerns for all citizens of this country. As proud members of an independent nation, we believe that all individuals should be able to exercise their rights peacefully.
“We extend our deepest sympathies to those affected by recent events and want to see the perpetrators brought to justice through fair investigation. Our deepest sympathies and condolences go out to those who have faced the tragic loss of lives and facing harassment. All lives matter.”
“We urgently call for fair justice and immediate economic restoration in the best interest of this nation and its citizens. We would like to end by saying we sincerely pray and hope the current situation normalises for the greater interest of the country,” the statement added.
Those who expressed solidarity along with Sayem through the statement included Fatullah Apparels CEO Fazlee Shamim Ehsan, Shasha Denims Managing Director Shams Mahmud, Adzi Trims Managing Director Al Shahriar Ahmed, MB Knit Fashion Director Hasin Arman Ayon, Mahmood Denims Director Rafee Mahmood, Giant Group Director Azfar Ankon Hassan, TRZ Ind Director Zarin Rashid, and AKH Group Director Anika Bushra Rafa, among others.
