Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Sunday directed law enforcement agencies to take necessary measures to keep garment factories operating and protect public life and property amid escalating labour unrest over demands for a minimum monthly wage of Tk30,000.
The directive came at an emergency meeting chaired by the prime minister at the Secretariat, as clashes between garment workers and police disrupted production and prompted factory owners to suspend operations at hundreds of factories.
Speaking to journalists after the meeting late Sunday night, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury said the government remained on high alert to maintain normal production and deal with any untoward situation.
He warned that if attempts were made to destabilise the garment sector with December in mind, the government would respond politically.
The emergency meeting began at 6 pm in the Cabinet Division’s conference room to review the situation arising from garment workers’ demonstrations, road blockades and clashes with police.
Among those attending were Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, State Minister for Local Government Mir Shahe Alam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin and Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal Chief Coordinator Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas.
Earlier, around 1 pm, the labour minister met the prime minister to discuss the unrest and the overall situation in the ready-made garment industry.
Ariful also cancelled his scheduled visit to the United Arab Emirates because of the continuing labour unrest.
At a press conference at the Secretariat on Sunday morning, the minister announced the formation of a new wage board to determine the minimum wage for garment workers.
He said the government had previously informed the media and representatives of workers and factory owners that the board would be formed on Sunday following discussions.
Despite the announcement, workers continued blocking roads, causing widespread public suffering.
Day-long clashes between workers and police also prompted factory owners to declare holidays at hundreds of garment factories, disrupting production across the sector.
