Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman on Sunday urged the government to take immediate and sustainable measures to address the crisis facing the country’s ready-made garment industry, warning that further delays could put the economy at greater risk.
In a Facebook post, he blamed the government’s failure to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply, high fuel prices, rising production costs, global market uncertainty and declining export orders for the industry’s difficulties.
Shafiqur said the cancellation and reduction of orders by international buyers had added to the pressure on garment manufacturers, while workers were struggling with rising living costs.
He said higher house rents, food prices, transport fares and medical expenses had made it increasingly difficult for garment workers to meet their daily needs.
Calling for reliable electricity supplies and measures to restore production, the Jamaat leader urged the government to protect the interests of both factory owners and workers.
“If the industry survives, not only the owners but also the country will survive,” he said.
Shafiqur stressed that the government must respond promptly to the industry’s problems rather than allow the situation to deteriorate.
He also called on workers, factory owners and other stakeholders to exercise restraint and act responsibly amid the continuing unrest in the garment sector.
Warning of wider economic consequences, he said a failure to resolve the crisis could push the country’s already fragile economy towards a more serious situation.
He maintained that there was no scope for delaying action to stabilise the industry and protect those dependent on it.
