Staff Reporter :
In response to escalating unrest among ready-made garment (RMG) workers in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur, the government has initiated a joint operation to address the situation. The unrest stems from various demands made by workers in these industrial sectors, particularly in the garment industry.
The government has directed the army, police, and industrial police to launch a coordinated operation against those allegedly fuelling the movement, starting from Monday night. The decision was made during a meeting held yesterday afternoon at the Secretariat in the capital, chaired by Home Affairs Advisor Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd), with representatives from the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) in attendance.
Following the meeting, BGMEA President Khandkar Rafiqul Islam confirmed the initiation of the joint campaign. He stated to the media, “We have specifically requested that workers and labour leaders are not to be harassed.”
Abdullah Al Raqib, Senior Vice President of BGMEA, indicated that the current unrest is being exacerbated by a particular group. He explained that individuals, disguised in lungis and helmets, are mingling with the workers, inciting unrest, and vandalising factories.
In response, the Home Affairs Advisor announced that a joint operation would be conducted to target those inciting the workers, as well as non-workers involved in agitating and vandalising factory premises.
Earlier, at least 30 garment factories in Ashulia announced their closure amidst protests by job-seeking workers who are demanding “proportional” hiring of men and women at the factories.