Set new RMG workers' wage board in 3 days, end use of force against protesters: Jatiya Sramik Shakti

Jatiya Sramik Shakti, the NCP’s labour wing, demanded a new wage structure for garment workers within three days on Tuesday, urging authorities to end the use of force against protesters.

Describing the current situation as a failure of the government at a press conference, it also demanded the resignation of the labour minister.

Garment workers have been protesting for the past three days, demanding a minimum wage of 30,000 taka, resulting in the closure of over 300 factories. The protests have turned violent at times, with a crackdown by law enforcers resulting in over 60 arrests.

Speaking at the event, NCP joint convener Abdul Hannan Masud said, "The government and factory owners have politicised the wage board under the pretext of forming it, appointing their own people. The workers are not accepting this."

He said the movement had reached this stage because of the government's immature decisions at various times.

“Wages must be increased in line with market conditions in the interest of protecting the industry," he said.

Jatiya Sramik Shakti Convener Mazharul Islam Fakhir alleged that the BNP government had spent nine months rehabilitating the Awami League and sharing the spoils of the jhut (garment waste) trade with the party.

“Now it is looking for Awami League’s involvement in the workers' movement,” he said.

"We have been demanding the formation of a wage board and the determination of new wages over the past several days, but the labour minister has failed. We want the resignation of the failed labour minister,” he said, issuing a three-day ultimatum for a new pay scale.

He also urged the authorities not to use force against demonstrators.

"I urge our brothers in the administration not to attack workers during their movement. We do not want to see the police of the Awami era."

At the press conference, speakers alleged that workers were being attacked in various places with the backing of BNP leaders and activists and the police.

Calling for a conciliatory approach, they warned that continued repression could cause the workers' movement to grow further and take a different form.

The leaders also strongly called for the permanent abolition of the harassment-oriented 'blacklist system' for workers.