Worried at fresh protests, RMG owners, labour leaders urge workers to act responsibly

Apparel exporters and labour leaders have expressed concerns over escalating protests in the Ashulia industrial zone on the outskirts of the capital, despite workers' demands being addressed step by step.

Speaking to The Business Standard, many factory owners expressed fears of unrest spreading to their facilities. Labour leaders criticised the recent wave of protests, saying such actions are contrary to the principles of the trade union movement.

Both groups urged the government and federation leaders to enhance coordination and efforts to mitigate these incidents, emphasising the importance of safeguarding the industry and preserving the country's global reputation.

Factory owners, speaking on condition of anonymity, expressed frustration, saying labour leaders are negotiating with top government officials and factory owners to fulfil workers' demands.

However, after reaching tripartite agreements, these leaders claim that workers are not heeding their directives, which the owners described as both hypocritical and absurd.

"Why should they not take responsibility for their workers after the government has addressed their demands?" one owner questioned, calling for accountability among labour leaders in ensuring that agreements are respected and unrest minimised.

Workers from 25 factories in Ashulia started fresh protests on Wednesday (11 December), demanding up to a 20% annual wage increase, just days after a 9% increment was agreed upon in a tripartite meeting.

According to BGMEA sources, production remained halted at a total of 29 factories in Ashulia, as protesting workers continued their programme yesterday (12 December).

Nazma Akter, president of the Bangladesh Sommilito Garments Sramik Federation, said, "The current protests centred in Ashulia are completely contradictory to the spirit of trade unionism, while the rest of the areas remain calm."

She explained that when workers have demands, they should engage in dialogue with factory owners to negotiate and realise their goals.

"However, what workers are doing now is wrong. They signed up at factories in the morning and then left for home. This is not trade unionism," she emphasised.

She also expressed concern over instances where protesting workers attacked other factories and forced employees who wanted to continue working to stop production. "This is not the right way to press for their demands," she added.

Nazma Akter further pointed out that this behaviour goes against the principles of organised movements, with some workers refusing to listen to their trade union leaders.

Mohiuddin Rubel, a former director of BGMEA, emphasised that the government must take stricter measures to maintain law and order and increase vigilance to identify those instigating disruptions despite the tripartite agreements.

He suggested that addressing these issues requires more comprehensive government coordination, involving local labour leaders, political leaders, influential figures in the community, factory owners, and federation leaders to create a united front to address such incidents.

Rubel also called on the signatory federation leaders to take responsibility for bringing the situation back to normal by engaging with workers directly and fulfilling their roles more actively and sincerely.

Furthermore, he urged factory owners who have stopped production under the "no work, no pay" rule (Rule 13/1) to strictly adhere to labour law provisions to handle such situations effectively and maintain compliance with regulations.

Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation General Secretary Babul Akhter told TBS that the decision of 9% increment was made after five meetings, with government intervention.

When asked why workers continue to protest despite the recent wage hike, he explained, "The reality is that a significant number of workers in the Ashulia industrial belt are affiliated with local political parties. These groups often act under the influence of their political leaders, and sometimes they disregard the directives of their federation leaders."

He further explained that some political leaders are retreating due to shifts in political power following the student movement.

Akhter also noted that workers are aware they are unlikely to face retaliation from the interim government, which has emboldened them to continue their protests without fear of immediate consequences.