Staff Reporter :
The garment industry in Bangladesh is facing a growing crisis, with both domestic and foreign conspiracies being blamed for the ongoing unrest. Key areas such as Savar and Ashulia have witnessed numerous protests, with factories being vandalised and set ablaze, leaving industry owners in a state of panic. Experts are calling for swift action to curb the situation.
Despite heightened surveillance by the government, factory owners, and law enforcement agencies, the labour unrest continues to escalate in the country’s industrial zones. On Wednesday, over 100 garment factories were suddenly shut down, while production continued in others. Industry insiders suggest that a larger plot is at play, with both domestic and foreign entities aiming to destabilise Bangladesh’s vital garment sector.
With around 4 million workers directly employed in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry, and an additional 20 million people indirectly benefiting, any prolonged disruption could have devastating consequences for the national economy.
The sector, which plays a crucial role in Bangladesh’s international trade, is at risk of losing orders from global buyers. Industry owners have expressed fears that if the unrest persists, the image of the country’s garment sector will suffer, potentially leading to the cancellation of key purchase orders.
Mohammad Hatem, President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), voiced his concerns: “We don’t believe these are workers causing the chaos. They are intentionally creating instability here. If they succeed, buyers will pull out from Bangladesh. We know exactly who’s behind this – it’s not hard to figure out.”
BKMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel echoed Hatem’s concerns, suggesting that there may be collusion between domestic and foreign actors in orchestrating the disturbances.
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
In response to the escalating unrest, the government has formed a ‘Labour-Related Complaints Monitoring Committee’ to address the disputes and improve the labour situation in the country. Adviser to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuiyan, announced the formation of the committee following a meeting with other government advisers.