Home minister holds meeting with garment owners to resolve workers' unrest

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today held a meeting at the Secretariat with leaders of garment factory owners as part of the government's efforts to resolve the ongoing unrest in the readymade garment (RMG) sector and restore normalcy in industrial areas.

The meeting was convened following Sunday's violent demonstrations by garment workers in Dhaka, Gazipur, Savar, Ashulia and Tangail, where protesters demanded a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000.

The government has taken initiatives to address the situation through dialogue with industry stakeholders while maintaining law and order and ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the country's vital export-oriented garment sector.

During Sunday's demonstrations, several areas witnessed clashes between protesters and law enforcement personnel, road blockades and incidents of vandalism targeting factories and vehicles.

Meanwhile, police arrested 19 leaders and activists of the Awami League and its affiliated organisations, including the banned Bangladesh Chhatra League and Jubo League, in Dhaka on allegations of instigating the demonstrations.

The government has also formed a six-member minimum wage board to review the existing salary structure of garment workers, with representation from workers, employers, the government and an independent member.

At present, the minimum monthly wage for garment workers stands at Tk 12,500. Workers are demanding Tk 30,000, citing rising living costs, including house rent, food, transportation and healthcare expenses.

The government has called upon workers to return to their workplaces and pursue their demands through dialogue and peaceful negotiations, rather than resorting to violence, vandalism and road blockades.

The BGMEA has expressed concern that prolonged unrest could disrupt production, delay export shipments and affect Bangladesh's commitments to international buyers.