Jamaat-e-Islami has placed a 15-point set of demands to address the ongoing crisis in the garment sector, calling for fair wages, job security, an end to arbitrary layoffs, payment of outstanding dues and the reopening of closed factories.
The party has also urged the government to convene an immediate tripartite dialogue involving factory owners and workers’ representatives to resolve the crisis.
Jamaat Secretary General Mia Golam Porwar announced the demands at a press conference at the party’s central office in Moghbazar on Thursday afternoon, where he outlined the party’s position on the mounting unrest in the country’s garment industry.
In a written statement, Porwar said labour unrest, vandalism and arson at factories, coupled with a series of factory closures, had left the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of workers uncertain.
He said the crisis extended beyond disputes between workers and employers, posing a serious threat to industrial production, export trade and the national economy.
Despite rising living costs, workers’ incomes and living standards had not improved sufficiently, he said.
“A fair wage for workers is not a favour; it is their rightful entitlement in return for their labour,” Porwar said, demanding that a minimum monthly wage be determined for garment workers and implemented from January 2027.
Referring to the government’s formation of a six-member wage board on 1 November and its first meeting on 4 November, he said the board must make impartial recommendations based on workers’ actual living costs, market prices, family sizes and basic needs. He also stressed the need to ensure effective representation of workers on the board.
Jamaat seeks probe into worker’s death
The party expressed condolences over the death of Toufiq Sheikh, 21, a garment worker who died after being injured in clashes during a workers’ protest in Gazipur.
Porwar called for adequate compensation and rehabilitation for the deceased worker’s family, an impartial investigation into the incident and legal action against those responsible. He also demanded proper medical treatment for the injured workers.
While backing workers’ legitimate demands, Jamaat condemned vandalism, arson, attacks on vehicles and looting during the unrest.
The party also called for an impartial investigation into allegations of possible instigation or sabotage by political groups, including the Awami League, Jubo League and Sramik League.
However, Porwar cautioned against holding ordinary workers responsible without evidence, saying those genuinely involved in criminal activities must be brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations.
Production disrupted at over 1,000 factories
Citing information from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and relevant industry sources, the party said production had been disrupted at more than 1,000 factories in industrial areas, including Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Mirpur.
Hundreds of factories had been temporarily shut down, leaving thousands of workers unable to report for duty, the statement said.
It also cited data attributed to the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), according to which more than 100 garment factories had permanently closed in recent times due to gas and electricity shortages, resulting in job losses for around 62,000 workers.
The statement warned that a prolonged crisis could trigger cancellations of foreign purchase orders, disrupt timely deliveries and undermine Bangladesh’s competitiveness in international markets.
Demand for better wages, security and welfare
Calling on the government to act as a mediator, Porwar said resolving the crisis required more than ensuring fair wages. Factory security, investment protection and an improved production environment were equally important.
He called for regular wage reviews and measures to ensure food rationing, healthcare, housing and social security for workers.
The party’s 15-point demands also include an end to arbitrary use of force, torture and harassment of workers by law enforcement agencies; the release of innocent workers and labour leaders in custody; withdrawal of harassment cases; and an end to attacks on workers over their political affiliations.
Other demands include adequate security in industrial areas, the speedy reopening of closed factories, an end to unlawful dismissals, opportunities for blacklisted workers to return to employment, and payment of outstanding wages, allowances and overtime.
Jamaat also called for the expansion of subsidised food supplies, healthcare, housing and social security programmes, alongside measures to ensure a safe working environment for women workers.
“Workers must survive for industries to survive, and industries must survive for the country’s economy to survive,” Porwar said.
He said industrial stability could not be achieved by denying workers their rightful dues, just as vandalism and violence could not secure workers’ rights.
Porwar urged the government to implement workers’ legitimate demands, release innocent workers and take steps to reopen shuttered factories.
He also called on factory owners to recognise workers as indispensable partners in the industry and urged labour organisations to pursue their movements peacefully and responsibly.
