Welcome signs of change in garments sector

However, we note with some concern that the industrial units in the EPZ, which witnessed worker violence in no small measure, have not been blessed with any agreement as yet between the stakeholders. In fact, the gravity of the situation there can be gauged by the foreign investors' insistence on improving the security situation first before they reopened their industries.

That said, we now turn to the implementation of the tripartite agreement reached on Sunday. Very rightly, it is now being expected by everyone that the owners would implement what has been promised, if possible at the very earliest. As a confidence building measure can we suggest a unilateral, sector wise, pay rise declaration by the owners. Such positive steps on the part of the employers would go a long way in their regaining confidence among the workers. We at the same time urge the workers to move away from the path of destruction that might ultimately weaken the very foundation of the garment sector. The workers should be made to understand that responsibility comes in tandem with demand, and through joining their duty station now in a disciplined manner they will amply demonstrate their sense of responsibility.

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It is disconcerting that a conspiracy theory is still being touted to link the incidence to a "nexus of envious quarters". Merely saying such things without producing any evidence would do more harm than good at such critical times. We strongly feel the entire episode has now come to a stage where all parties should be able to come out as winners. We do not want to see any loser here.