PM warns against garment anarchy, sabotage
July 31, 2010
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday warned against any attempt to destabilise the garments sector as a section of workers took to the streets despite the announcement of the new wage structure raising the pay by 80 percent at a time.
“No anarchy and sabotage in this sector will be tolerated,” she said in a teleconference from her Ganobhaban official residence, marking the launching of Bangabandhu Poverty Reduction Complex of BGMEA at Tungipara of Gopalganj.
The premier said a certain quarter was trying to create anarchy in the ready-made garment sector attempting to destroy the country’s highest foreign currency earner. She said after the announcement of the new wage package the violent street protests were “nothing but attempts to destroy the garment sector in Bangladesh.”
Earlier, the prime minister cancelled her scheduled visit to Gopalganj, her hometown due to inclement weather.
“Those who are instigating to destabilise the garment sector are the enemy of the country as well as the workers,” she said adding that stern actions are being taken against those after finding them out.
At the same time, the prime minister called upon the garment owners to be more cordial for solving their problems.
Referring to the new wage structure announced on Thursday for the apparel workers, Hasina said she through her personal initiatives had convinced the owners to raise workers minimum wages from Tk 1,600 to Tk 3,000.
The prime minister said the workers should not be involved in such activities in which their bread and butter and shelter come under threat. Who would be benefited after destroying garment industry which provide bread and butter to the workers, she posed a question.
In this context, she said hundreds of workers would be unemployed if the country’s garment sector shut down due to anarchy.
The prime minister said the workers have to join their works accepting the minimum wages. But, she said their legitimate demand would be considered after reducing the impact of global economic meltdown and with the increase of export.
Hurling a question to the agitating workers, the Prime Minister said what would be their answer if someone demands to pay compensation of their personal vehicles, houses and office damaged by the workers during the agitation from their salary.
The prime minister said her government would provide subsidy in providing rice and wheat to the garment workers as ration.
Source: thedailystar.net
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