N'ganj mayhem

The violence erupted after the workers agitating in support of their 18-point demand failed to reach a negotiated settlement with the owners of Pantex Garments Factory. Newspaper reports indicate that rumours and speculations fuelled the crisis beyond control. For example, rumour spread in the industrial enclave that labour leaders had been kept in captivity and also that police had killed six workers and removed the dead bodies. Police and the district administration have, however, said one garment worker was killed in the clashes.

Another reason cited for the violent outburst is that labour leader Mahbubur Rahman Ismail was arrested after the tripartite negotiations among the district administration, owners of Pantex and labour representatives collapsed.

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Whatever might be the cause behind the riotous situation which kept Narayanganj cut off from the rest of the country for nearly 12 hours, it is evident that the channels of communication between the workers and the owners were not utilised in the best interest of the two sides. There was mistrust and misgivings which finally found expression in a bloody carnage.

But what we would like to say in clear terms is that the problem should not have been allowed to blow out of proportion. Nobody has the right to damage property belonging to others. Similarly, law enforcers were expected to show the utmost restraint before resorting to an extreme measure like opening fire on the garment workers. It was an avoidable tragedy which has cost a valuable life and left property worth crores of takas damaged.

Such violence in an important industrial sector has far-reaching economic implications that can hardly be ignored. We suggest the government constitute a probe body to find out why the matter came to a head and police had to open fire on the garment workers. That hopefully will clear the deck for a serious dialogue to ensue between both sides leading to the resolution of any diferences.