Editorial
Occasional unrest in garment sector
This must be overcome to realise itsfull potential
In the last eleven months there has been 30 percent increase in the overseas demand for our RMG products compared to that in the corresponding period of the last fiscal year. At a time like this, nothing could be more frustrating than to learn that pockets of labour unrest are still there in the sector.
For example, on Sunday clashes between the police and workers of three garment factories at Kalurghat BISIC industrial area in Chittagong left several injured while there was a chain debilitating effect in the industrial zone.
The workers were demanding introduction of basic pay system in the salary structure alongside piece rate system. Their argument is that they couldn't get overtime allowance in the piece rate system in the absence of any basic pay. Other demands were increase in the share of piece rate and breakfast allowances.
We would have thought that the tripartite accord reached among government, BGMEA and the workers had covered all aspects of salary and benefits but it seems that some of the basic details are left to the factories concerned. So, you have the compliant factories, non-compliant factories and those who see-saw between compliance and non-compliance.
In the specific case of Chittagong, a consultative process had actually begun but this was not allowed to run a full course, thanks to factors best known to the people concerned.
According to the workers version, the owners of Azam Group assured them of giving a decision on their demands on Friday. Failing which, they requested the workers for a meeting on Sunday morning.
But there seemed to be a preemptive strike as the police arrested 10 workers of the factories on Friday night from their houses 'thus forcing them to take to the street'.
While the factory owners should have proved true to their word, the workers going on a rampage and vandalising 50 vehicles were highly reprehensible acts. All sides must know that no durable solution can be reached expect through a consultative process.
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