Staff Reporter

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed the relevant authorities to take necessary measures to protect the interests of garment workers, improve their living standards and strengthen their financial capacity. He also emphasised the need to keep production and export activities in the readymade garment sector running normally and without interruption.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed disclosed the information to journalists following a meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Secretariat on Sunday night, November 1, to review the recent situation in the readymade garment industry.

Initiative to Set Minimum Wages for Workers

The home minister said the prime minister had instructed the Ministry of Labour to take necessary measures to protect workers' interests and improve their living standards. The Wage Board had also been given the necessary guidance on the matter.

He said provisions require a wage board to be formed every three years to revise workers' minimum wages. Although the process was scheduled to be completed by December, the government had taken steps to form the board earlier after discussions with representatives of employers and workers.

Salahuddin Ahmed said that although employers had submitted the names of their representatives, there had been some delay in receiving nominations from workers' organisations. After receiving the workers' representatives' names on Saturday night, the government formed the Wage Board and issued a notification on Sunday morning.

According to him, the representatives of employers and workers on the Wage Board will determine the minimum wage through discussions, taking into account workers' living standards, their ability to maintain a dignified life with their families and their financial capacity.

Call to Avoid Violence and Pursue Dialogue

The home minister said there was an opportunity to negotiate workers' wages and that violent protests were unnecessary.

He alleged that recent protests had involved the burning of police vehicles, attacks in various locations, vandalism of vehicles and arson at factories. He said such activities were unacceptable.

The minister added that law enforcement agencies had been instructed to take strict action against those involved in violence, disorderly conduct or attempts to create unrest.

Investigation into Alleged Sabotage

Asked about the alleged involvement and incitement of masked individuals in recent incidents, Salahuddin Ahmed said an analysis of information available to the government indicated that some individuals across the border were inciting unrest by using innocent garment workers.

He claimed that the aim was to destabilise the country, disrupt export trade and obstruct production in the garment industry. He said those involved in such activities would be brought to justice.

Emphasis on Keeping Factories Open and Exports Uninterrupted

Regarding factories that had closed because of the protests, the home minister said owners had been urged to continue production. He stressed that any factory closure should be temporary.

He said employers and workers must restore normal production through mutual discussions and understanding. All concerned parties must remain alert to ensure that production and the supply of goods for export are not disrupted.

Salahuddin Ahmed further said the government was prioritising the development of the country's readymade garment industry, increasing export earnings and expanding employment opportunities for workers. He also highlighted the contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to the development of the sector.

Those Present at the Meeting

Those present at the meeting included Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed; Prime Minister's Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan; Labour and Employment and Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury; Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam; Prime Minister's Adviser Mahdi Amin; and BNP labour organiser and Nationalist Labour Party chief coordinator Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas.