Labour minister assures security, calls on RMG workers to resume work tomorrow

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury today (4 November) urged readymade garment (RMG) workers to return to their workplaces tomorrow and factory owners to reopen closed units, assuring them of government support and security to restore normal operations in the sector.

“Workers should return to their workplaces from tomorrow and factory owners should reopen their factories. The government will provide all necessary support and ensure security,” he said.

The minister made the call at a press conference following a high-level tripartite meeting among government representatives, garment factory owners and labour leaders at the Ministry of Labour and Employment.

Prime Minister’s Adviser and PMO Spokesperson Mahdi Amin also spoke at the press conference.

On the death of a garment worker during the recent unrest, Ariful expressed deep condolences and said local administration officials, including the Deputy Commissioner and Upazila Nirbahi Officer, visited the bereaved family following instructions from Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

The minister said the wage board had held its first meeting in record time and that the process was expected to be completed in line with the government’s plan to implement revised wages by December.

He also urged workers not to be swayed by rumours.

At the meeting, representatives of labour organisations affiliated with the ruling BNP, Jamaat-e-Islami and the National Citizen Party also called on workers to return to work and help restore normal operations in the industrial areas.

Labour leader Nazma Akter said the current wage board had held its first meeting within days of being formed, compared with the previous board, which took around two months to hold its first meeting after its formation in 2023.

“Now is the time for us to reap the harvest. Do not pay heed to rumours,” she said, while demanding the withdrawal of cases filed against workers.

Representatives of different trade union federations also discussed how they could help keep factories operational.

Atiqul Islam, president of the Jamaat-backed Bangladesh Labour Welfare Federation, said they would cooperate in restoring discipline in industrial areas.

“The situation must not be allowed to deteriorate any further, at any cost. Continued unrest will harm everyone,” he said.

Labour leader Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas called for self-criticism among labour leaders, questioning whether they had sufficient influence over workers at the grassroots.

“We should engage in self-criticism,” he said, adding that workers had taken to the streets because of pressure to earn a living and that it would not be right to rule out the possibility of instigation.

NCP Secretary for Labour and Employment Ali Naser Khan alleged that law enforcement personnel had used force against workers, saying such action would not resolve the situation.

The meeting also discussed the cases filed against workers and those detained during the unrest.

However, the labour minister warned that those involved in violence, vandalism and other criminal activities would face legal action based on available evidence, including video footage.

Parliamentary Standing Committee Chairman on the Ministry of Labour and Employment Advocate Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas, representatives of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and various trade union organisations were also present.