The Industrial Bangladesh Council (IBC) has urged the government to immediately release arrested labour leaders, withdraw police personnel from the offices of labour organisations and halt police raids on the residences of labour leaders.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday, IBC President Mir Abul Kalam Azad and General Secretary Salauddin Shapon also called on workers to return to their workplaces.

Speaking to Daily Waadaa, IBC General Secretary Salauddin Shapon alleged that at least 10 regional leaders had been arrested during the recent protests, although they had no involvement in the ongoing unrest.

Several leaders of other labour organisations affiliated with different federations were also reportedly arrested, he said.

In its statement, IBC called for the immediate release of innocent arrested labour leaders, an end to police presence at labour organisation offices and a halt to police raids on the homes of labour leaders.

It added that IBC had been working with the government and factory owners from the beginning to restore normalcy and believed that arresting labour leaders who were working towards resolving the situation was counterproductive.

It said it opposed the arrest of innocent labour leaders but would not demand the release of anyone identified through video footage as being involved in violence or disorder.

The council also condemned police raids on the regional offices of its affiliated organisations, describing such actions as unacceptable.

IBC noted that the wage board held its first meeting on Wednesday and announced that the new wage structure would be determined by December, with workers expected to receive their revised salaries in January.

Following this announcement, the council said, further unrest was undesirable and workers should return to work and allow the wage-setting process to proceed.