Normalcy returns to garment factories

While we welcome the tripartite meeting that was held among the government, BGMEA and trade union leaders on Wednesday, and the assurance given by the employers of full payment of wages for the current month, we would like to remind all that the common practice is not to follow up on the agreements and promises once the crisis is sufficiently defused. There are examples of employers throwing such agreements into cold chambers. But, we believe, this time the messages were louder and clearer than ever before.

At the same time we would like to know more about the true identity of the 'outside' elements who purportedly worked from behind to instigate the workers. This cannot be taken as a passing comment, especially when it came from responsible people like ministers. The pertinent question is: Has the government been able to identify them by now? Our question is based on the fact that the state minister for home affairs has admitted to having intelligence report on such conspiratorial activities going on in the industrial zones.

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Whatever had triggered the outburst, the fact remains that there is a huge stockpile of grievances among the workers in the readymade garments sector. Complaints abound of very low salary, unhealthy working conditions and no employment rules in existence in these factories. Besides, the tragic incidences of workers being beaten to death for alleged theft or left trapped behind locked doors while a fire raged or trampled to death on narrow staircases because of absence of emergency fire exits do not paint a pretty picture.

We strongly feel that wild conjectures as to the cause of the recent labour violence will not resolve the issues. First and foremost what is required is the mindset to listen to the grievances of the workers. Such positive attitude on the part of the employers would eventually lead to an amicable solution.