Desk Report: Bangladesh Islami Chhatra Shibir has expressed deep concern over ongoing labour unrest in the country`s readymade garment (RMG) sector, production shutdowns and alleged repression of workers, demanding immediate measures to ensure fair wages and restore stability in industrial areas.

The organisation called for fixing a minimum wage in line with the rising cost of living, convening the first meeting of the wage board without delay, ending harassment of workers and releasing those arrested during the protests.

Shibir Central President Nurul Islam and Secretary General Sibgatullah made the demands in a joint statement issued on Tuesday (November 3).

In the statement, the leaders said workers had been demonstrating for nearly two weeks in several industrial areas, including Dhaka, Savar, Mirpur and Narayanganj. The unrest has reportedly disrupted production at at least 679 garment factories in Dhaka, Gazipur and Ashulia.

They said soaring prices of essential commodities had made it increasingly difficult for garment workers to maintain their livelihoods on their existing wages.

Instead of resolving workers` legitimate demands through dialogue, the government was allegedly portraying the protests as politically motivated and resorting to repression, they claimed.

Highlighting the importance of the garment sector, the Shibir leaders said the industry was one of the principal driving forces of Bangladesh`s economy, contributing a significant share of the country`s export earnings through the efforts of millions of workers.

However, despite the substantial rise in commodity prices and living costs, the minimum monthly wage of garment workers has remained unchanged at Tk 12,500 since 2023, they noted.

Drawing a comparison with recent initiatives to introduce a new pay scale and increase financial benefits for government employees, the leaders questioned why garment workers` demands for fair wages were being portrayed as a conspiracy or provocation.

They described such an approach as discriminatory, arguing that workers in the garment sector also face the same market realities and rising living costs.

The organisation also warned against possible conspiracies surrounding the garment industry, urging all concerned to remain vigilant against any attempts by fallen fascist forces or anti-Bangladesh elements to exploit the labour unrest for sabotage or destabilising activities.

However, the Shibir leaders stressed that the crisis should be addressed through constructive dialogue among factory owners, workers and the government rather than confrontation or destructive activities.

They warned that prolonged production disruptions during the peak business season could adversely affect Bangladesh`s export earnings, foreign exchange income and overall economic stability.

The leaders also called upon trade unions to play a responsible and effective role in protecting workers` rights and maintaining industrial harmony.

Their key demands include immediately convening the first meeting of the wage board, determining a reasonable minimum wage in line with living costs, stopping repression and harassment of workers, releasing detained workers and conducting an impartial investigation into incidents of violence surrounding the protests.

They said protecting workers` rights and ensuring industrial stability must go hand in hand to safeguard the future of Bangladesh`s garment industry and the wider national economy.