Garment Workers' Movement: Wage Commission Formed, Minister Says No Scope for Protest Now as BGB and BNP Move on Factory Security

A wage commission has been formed for ready-made garment workers, and for that reason there is now no scope for further agitation, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has said. Alongside this government position on the ongoing garment workers' movement, security has been strengthened in industrial areas.

The state minister made the remarks on Tuesday morning (November 3) while answering reporters' questions after a meeting on the ongoing unrest in the garment industry, held at the Savar Upazila Parishad.

Salahuddin Tuku said: "Steps have already been taken on what the workers wanted; the wage commission has been formed. So I think the environment will be fine from now on."

He added: "A third party wants to fish in troubled waters. Those who are allies of fascism wanted to take advantage. The people are also alert on this matter. Everyone agrees that they must not be allowed to take advantage in any way." The state minister said: "Fascism has departed. So fishing in troubled waters through conspiracy will not be possible. Bangladesh's current democratic government is moving forward protecting the people's interests."

At the meeting, Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Mostafizur Rahman said cases have been filed at the relevant police stations over the workers' protests. Several people have been arrested on allegations of illegal involvement in the movement.

Dhaka District Commissioner Farida Khanam said executive magistrates are on duty at various places to keep the situation in Savar and Ashulia normal. Local MP Dr Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu was present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, 12 platoons of BGB have been deployed in industrial areas to prevent worker unrest, and surveillance is being carried out by drone.

Separately, Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) have arrested 33 members of the banned Awami League and banned organisations on allegations of sabotage activities disguised as garment workers behind the workers' movement. They were arrested in drives in different areas of the capital in the last 24 hours. The DMP said legal action will be taken against those arrested and police drives will continue to prevent sabotage.

In Gazipur, the BNP has also announced it will be in the field for the security of garment factories. On Tuesday morning (November 3), Gazipur district BNP member secretary and Zila Parishad administrator Dr Chowdhury Ishraq Ahmad Siddiqui spoke to media workers on the Dhaka-Tangail highway at Kaliakair.

Dr Chowdhury Ishraq Ahmad Siddiqui said: "Leaders and activists of Gazipur district BNP, Kaliakair upazila and municipal BNP and affiliated organisations are working to resist attempts to create anarchy in the garment industry. This work will continue." He said: "On the instruction of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we will stay in the field round the clock. We will be in the field so that Gazipur's production-oriented garment factories can run their production without hindrance. As in the past, we are beside the industrial establishments now and will remain so in the future."

Garment workers have been demonstrating in various areas of Gazipur for the past few days with demands including a minimum wage of Tk 30,000. Around the movement, blockades, clashes and vandalism have taken place on important roads including the Dhaka-Tangail highway. This has disrupted production at factories and caused suffering for the general public's movement as well.