Threat to the garment sector

Now, the matter has to be handled efficiently and dis-creetly and we share the views expressed by eminent economist Professor Wahiduddin Mahmood on the is-sue. He has suggested management review to put an end to the crisis. Obviously, it has to be found out whether the agitation was triggered by smoldering discontent among the workers created by the failure to address their problems. Yes, the sector can retain its competitive edge even after paying 'just salaries' to the workers. The point here is that the rights of workers cannot be ignored.

Outsiders have been blamed for the crisis by certain quarters. Conspiracy theory has also been touted like it is done whenever a big shattering thing happens, but talk-ing vaguely about such matters won't serve the cause of the industry. In fact, might be an outright disservice. The government must identify those who are 'subversive' elements, if any, and bring them to justice.

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Whatever might be the immediate driving force be-hind the agitation, there is no denying that workers in the sector have some genuine grievances that have to be alleviated so as to create a healthy industrial environ-ment in the factories. The owners have a fundamental role to play here. Mere finger pointing at invisible trouble mongers would only multiply the confusion in the public mind and delay the process of reform.

The pent-up disgruntlement of the workers might not have found such an expression had the owners allowed trade unionism within the ambit of labour laws. But it is evident that there is no mechanism to give a hearing to and redress the genuine grievances of the workers.

Any further chaos in the garment sector can be a fatal blow to the country's economy; so, the need of the hour is a quick resolution of the crisis. The owners need to have a fresh look at the management practices, while the workers must not forget that vandalism will only harm their interest.