Return to factories; we’ll call to join protests if needed: Labour leaders to RMG workers

Babul Akter, newly appointed workers’ representative on the minimum wage board for readymade garment workers, has urged the agitating workers to return to their factories and resume work, assuring them that labour leaders would continue fighting for fair wages.

“Please return to your factories and resume work. We will fight for your fair wages. If necessary, we will call you to join protests,” he said at a press briefing at Shrom Bhaban, which houses the central administrative offices and directorates operating under the Ministry of Labour and Employment, in Dhaka’s Bijoynagar today (2 November).

Babul also urged the government to release labour leaders who had not been involved in vandalism but had participated in the protests.

He said the labour leaders would work to ensure that the new wage structure was implemented by December. “We will not allow any delay in implementing the new wages on the pretext of holding meetings,” he added.

Anwar Hossain, another workers’ representative on the wage board and the president of the Bangladesh Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, said the ongoing movement was not helping workers but rather undermining their legitimate demands.

Nazma Akter, president of Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation and executive director of the workers’ rights NGO Awaj Foundation, also urged the government to identify any vested groups that might have infiltrated the workers’ protests.

“Because of this situation, factory owners are losing orders,” she said.

Several other labour leaders also attended the press briefing.