Garment workers’ protests being exploited by those ‘across the border’: Home Minister

The government has information that garment workers are being used by those “across the border”, Home Minister Salahuddin said on Sunday.

Briefing reporters at the Secretariat after an hour-long meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on the recent protests, Salahuddin said workers had been protesting for some time, but this time was different.

“If you study the nature of their protests, you can see that some pressure has been created and they are being used,” he said.

Salahuddin also mentioned seeing “masked men” at the protests, hinting at possible agent provocateurs.

“They are being used to create instability, to hurt our exports and garment production,” he said, adding that the government believed not a single garment worker was involved in the unruly acts.

The home minister warned that such plots would be dealt with firmly.

“You saw today that those who broke the law were brought to book. We want everyone to get this message,” he said.

Salahuddin said the wage board was formed every three years, as agreed with the workers, and that the next renewal was due in December.

“The government has been talking to workers and owners,” he said, adding that he was hopeful of a resolution soon.

The employers had submitted the names of their representatives, but there was a delay in receiving nominations from workers’ organisations, Salahuddin said, adding that after receiving the worker representatives’ names on Saturday night, the government formed the board and issued a notification on Sunday morning.

The representatives of employers and workers on the board will discuss and recommend minimum wages, taking into account workers’ living standards, their ability to maintain a decent family life and their financial capacity, he said.

Salahuddin said the government is sincere about protecting workers’ interests and improving their living standards.

He also said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had directed all concerned to remain alert to ensure the smooth operation of factories and industries and the safety of people's lives and property amid growing labour unrest.

“The Prime Minister has given advice and directives to ensure that garment workers’ interests are protected, their living standards improve, and production and development in Bangladesh are not disrupted, while exports increase. He has asked us to take steps keeping all these issues in consideration,” he said.

Garment workers have been protesting over a 30,000 taka minimum monthly wage for the past few days.

The protests turned violent earlier in the day, with cars vandalised, a jhut goddown burned and a police van set on fire.

Around 39 people have been arrested over the violence.