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Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) on Wednesday (Nov 15) said that peaceful environment has been restored at the RMG factories in the capital and adjoining Ashulia, Gazipur and Savar areas. Under the circumstances, all readymade garment (RMG) manufacturing units in the Ashulia area have resumed operations, as workers returned to their factories peacefully.
In a press release sent to the media, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan said that production activities are now going on in full swing in the garment factories while there was no incident of labor unrest in any factory on Wednesday. The workers expressed their commitment to work properly. Normal activities are going on in the factories now, he added.
He said there was a discussion on Tuesday and Wednesday about reopening of the closed factories in Mirpur. During the two-day talks, workers, labour organisations, local political leaders, administration and industrial police opined that the workers of the closed factories in Mirpur want to return to work, he added. Therefore, closed garment factories in Mirpur and all other places will be reopened on Thursday, he informed.
The government has recently announced a new minimum wage of Tk 12,500 for the garment workers. The workers have long been demanding for a further increase in wages.
The release said several factories have already been vandalized and set on fire centering the labour movement. Due to this, several garment factories were closed in Ashulia, Mirpur and other places.
Meanwhile, Faruque Hassan said in a statement that the factory owners are committed to implement the new wage structure from Dec 1. He called for ensuring safety and peaceful environment in all industrial establishments including garment factories.
