Sabotage fears grow as RMG sector faces payment crisis
Syed Shemul Parvez :
The ongoing unrest in the RMG sector ahead of the Eid vacation is causing widespread concern across the country. There are speculations that certain groups may attempt to exploit the issue of unpaid wages to create anarchy and undermine the interim government.
In addition to the 12 factories facing a travel ban, it has been revealed that 344 RMG units have yet to pay Eid bonuses to their workers. Among them, 36 factories are identified as being at high risk of defaulting on payments.
On Tuesday, police and RMG workers clashed near the National Press Club in Dhaka. Workers from several RMG factories in Gazipur gathered at the Sram Bhaban, demanding their due wages for the last three months, Eid bonuses, and arrears for maternity leave. They then proceeded towards the Secretariat in a procession. However, as the procession reached the Press Club, police intervened and attempted to stop them. This led to a confrontation, during which police charged batons and dispersed the workers.
In response, the agitated workers hurled brickbats at the police. Law enforcement officials then fired tear gas and sound grenades to disperse the crowd. Several RMG workers were injured in the clash, but their identities have not yet been confirmed.
Police officials stated that meetings and assemblies are prohibited in the Secretariat area. Despite this, the protesting workers gathered there and threw brickbats towards the Secretariat, prompting police intervention.
Meanwhile, the government has imposed a travel ban on the owners of 12 Readymade Garment (RMG) factories for failing to pay workers’ salaries and bonuses within the stipulated deadline. The decision was announced by Labour and Employment Adviser Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain at a press conference held at the Secretariat on Tuesday.
According to the adviser, the Ministry of Home Affairs has provided the necessary information about these factory owners to immigration authorities, ensuring that the ban takes effect immediately. The owners will not be permitted to travel abroad until they clear all outstanding payments to their workers.
Highlighting the issue, Sakhawat Hossain criticized the factory owners, stating, “These owners have no issues traveling abroad, purchasing cars, and building houses. However, when it comes to paying the wages of workers, they claim financial difficulties.”
The government had set a deadline of 27 March for RMG factory owners to disburse salaries and allowances to their workers. However, 12 factories have officially informed the authorities of their inability to comply with this directive, leading to protests and unrest in at least five of them.
Brig Gen (retd) M Sakhawat Hossain reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring workers’ rights and warned that strict action would be taken against those who fail to meet their legal obligations. He emphasized that the government will not tolerate any negligence in adhering to labour laws.
The readymade garment sector is a crucial pillar of Bangladesh’s economy, employing millions of workers. The ongoing failure to pay wages and bonuses on time raises concerns about labour rights and industry stability. The government’s decisive move to impose travel restrictions on defaulters aims to ensure compliance with wage payment regulations and prevent further disruptions in the sector.