Legal action against anyone inciting factory closures, warns Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmad has warned that anyone who tries to muddy the situation by exploiting worker discontent will be brought under the law. He said the government will take a firm stance against those attempting to create a deadlock in the garment industry and disrupt workers’ employment and production, and that legal action will be taken against anyone who incites workers to shut factories.

He made the remarks while talking to journalists at the Secretariat on Tuesday after an inter-ministerial meeting on shrimp enclosure management.

The home minister said the government is in contact with all parties concerned over the current situation in the garment industry. Discussions have been held with labour organisation leaders as well as factory owners. Necessary initiatives have been taken on the demands raised by the workers, so there is no justification for creating fresh unrest in factories, he said.

On reopening closed factories, he said initiatives are being taken to normalise production activities quickly. However, he alleged that some individuals and groups are trying to complicate the situation through attacks and incitement.

On wages, Salahuddin Ahmad said a board has been formed to set the minimum wage for workers. Discussions will now take place between owner and worker representatives through the board, and a decision on wages will be made after reviewing the opinions of both sides.

He said the government has requested the wage board to consider workers’ financial capacity and cost of living, adding that the wage needs to be set at a level that helps improve workers’ standard of living.

Alleging an attempt to use the ongoing situation in the industrial sector politically, the home minister said some quarters linked to the defeated fascist forces are trying to create unrest by exploiting the workers’ movement for political ends. The government will deal firmly with such activities, he said.

He said that alongside protecting workers’ interests, it is also essential to keep this important industrial sector running. The door to resolving workers’ demands through discussion remains open, but no opportunity will be given to create sabotage or disorder in the industry, he added.