PM orders factories to stay open, tough stance against troublemakers

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed that factories remain open to keep production and apparel exports running as usual. At the same time, he has advised the relevant parties to take necessary steps to protect workers' interests, improve their quality of life, and redefine the minimum wages.

On the other hand, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has warned of a tough crackdown on attempts to create violence, sabotage, and disorder in the name of workers' movements.

The Home Minister made these observations to the journalists after a meeting held at 6 pm on Sunday (November 1), at the Prime Minister's Office in the Secretariat to review the situation arising in the apparel industry.

The Home Minister said the Prime Minister has given directions regarding protecting workers' interests, improving their quality of life, and continuing the country's production and export activities. He also advised taking necessary steps considering all aspects.

Addressing the protesters, the Home Minister said that those involved in violence, engaging in unruly behavior, or attempting to create unnecessary disorder and instability will be dealt with severity.

'Fuel being supplied from across the border'

In response to a question from journalists, Salahuddin said he has got tips that some masked individuals were infiltrating at various levels in Sunda's incidents. Analysis of information available to the government shows that some are supplying fuel from across the border using innocent garment workers. The purpose is to create instability in the country, disrupt export trade, and obstruct clothing production.

He said the government will deal with such conspiracies firmly. Those involved in violent activities are being brought under the law. The police and other law enforcement agencies will firmly suppress any attempt to create sabotage and disorder.

Government has formed wage board

The Home Minister said the government has formed a wage board to redefine the minimum wages for the ready-made garment workers.

He said there is a provision to form a wage board every three years to redefine the minimum wage for workers. Although there was time until next December on this matter, the government has taken the initiative to form the board early through discussions with owners and workers' sides.
While the owners' side submitted the names of their representatives, there was a delay in nominating representatives from the workers' organizations. After receiving the names of the workers' side representatives last night, a wage board was formed and a gazette notification was issued on Sunday morning.
Home Minister says owners and workers' representatives in Wage Board will discuss and set minimum wages.

The Home Minister said that representatives of owners and workers in the wage board will discuss and determine the minimum wage considering issues such as improving workers' quality of life, living a dignified life with their families, and increasing financial capability.

He said the path of discussion is open for determining workers' wages. In this regard, there was no need for violent protests. In the name of the movement, incidents of setting fire to police vehicles, attacks in various places, vandalizing vehicles, and setting fire to factories have occurred. These activities are manifestations of violence.

Prime Minister's Directives to Protect Workers' Interests

The Home Minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has given directions to the relevant stakeholders regarding protecting workers' interests and improving their quality of life. In addition to advising the wage board, he has also asked the Ministry of Labour to take necessary steps to ensure workers' interests.
Noting that the government wants peace, order, development, and progress, he said the government's goal is the development of the country's ready-made garment industry, increased export earnings, and increased employment for workers.

Referring to the contribution of martyred President Ziaur Rahman to the development of Bangladesh's ready-made garment industry, the Home Minister said the government wants this industry to advance further, the export sector to prosper, and workers' employment to increase.

Call to Keep Factories Open

In response to a question from journalists about whether the factories that were closed due to the movement will open on Monday, the Home Minister said owners of the ready-made garment industry have been called upon to keep production activities running.

He said if factories remain closed for any reason, it should be temporary. Production activities must be kept normal through mutual discussion and understanding between owners and workers. Everyone must ensure that production and supply of goods for export are not disrupted in any way.

In response to a question about when the first meeting of the wage board might be held, the Home Minister said details could be known by speaking with the board's chairman.

Those present at the meeting included the Prime Minister's Political Advisor Nazrul Islam Khan, Minister of Labour and Expatriates' Welfare Ariful Haque Chuwdhury, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shah-e Alam, Prime Minister's Advisor Mahdi Amin, and Chief Coordinator of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas.