Instability in the garment sector continues to persist. Since the beginning of this year, there have been protests over wages, factory attacks over the dominance of the Jhut business after the fall of the government, and most recently, a violent incident where workers attacked the factory owner's son due to unpaid wages. These events have made the sector extremely unstable.
Moreover, these protests, hindering security in industrial areas, have become a cause of concern for foreign companies and investors in Bangladesh. The current situation has diminished their confidence, and as a result, orders from various countries have decreased due to the inability to deliver products on time.
In view of this, businesspeople are calling for government cooperation to restore the sector's image, along with ensuring the security of the industry.
The recent brutal attack on Rafee Mahmood, the deputy managing director of Mahmud Denim in Gazipur, and harassment and threats faced by factory owners in various factories have added new worries to the sector.
Entrepreneurs in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry have stated that recent events have created uneasiness in the sector. If this situation continues, the industry will collapse shortly. Immediate action is required to ensure the safety of the garment industry.
This incident has ignited strong protests and condemnation from the country's leading 11 business organisations. The organisations have also demanded punishment for those involved in the incident and have urged to ensure security in all industries.
The organisations have stated that a group is actively trying to destabilise the garment industry and the overall economy.
Industry stakeholders say that movements and unrest in industrial areas are not merely workers' issues; they are part of a movement to destroy the garment sector, which generates 84 per cent of the country's export earnings. Despite fulfilling all the workers' demands, their protests persist, which indicates that a third party is stirring things up.
Meanwhile, a clash between garment workers and factory officials in Konabari, Gazipur, led to the closure of several units at Islam Garments Limited on Monday. According to the BGMEA's data, eight factories in Gazipur and Mymensingh were closed as of Monday. Problems continue to arise in different regions at different times.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said that last Friday, law enforcement authorities were escorting a businessman when, upon stepping out of the car, he was brutally attacked by some criminals disguised as workers.
“In such a situation of law and order, how can businesses continue? We demand the immediate arrest of the attackers and strict punishment. At the same time, we urge the government to ensure the safety of the garment industry, which is a key sector of the country's exports,” he remarked.
Md. Shahriar, president of the Bangladesh Garments Accessories & Packaging Manufacturers & Exporters Association (BGAPMEA) stated, “As a businessman and business leader, I seek mental security for myself and fellow businesspeople. If businesspeople lose their mental balance and become traumatised, the country's economy will be in a coma. To sustain this business, the combined efforts of local people, workers, local jhut traders, the administration, banks, and the government are essential. If this sector suffers, the entire country will suffer.”
Bd-pratidin English/Fariha Nowshin Chinika
