Ongoing labour protests have disrupted production in several factories in Gazipur and Savar, leading to an emergency meeting at the Secretariat among five government advisers after business leaders met Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus to seek security assurances. The meeting concluded with a statement that there was no clear understanding of the nature of the unrest.
"Hired troublemakers" and street children were blamed for the unrest, and a warning was issued about using force to control the situation.
Labour and Employment Adviser Asif Mahmud Shojib Bhuyain said, "Influential figures from the Awami League are still involved in the jhoot trade, and BNP elements are also attempting to take over."
He urged the BNP to restrain its members while signalling a tough approach against Awami League members still active in this area.
Wednesday's meeting at the Home Ministry included Home Affairs Adviser Mohammad Jahangir Alam Chowdhury, Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Adviser AF Hassan Ariff, Law, Expatriates' Welfare and Overseas Employment, and Cultural Affairs Adviser Asif Nazrul, Fisheries and Livestock Adviser Farida Akhter, and Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman.
On Tuesday, six business leaders met with the Chief Adviser seeking assurance for factory security amid a series of labour protests in Gazipur and Savar. They warned that if security is not ensured, it could tarnish the country's image.
Labour Adviser Asif said, "Labour leaders always lead workers to achieve their rightful demands. However, the nature of the current protests is unclear. No specific demands or terms emerge and outsiders are visible in the demonstrations.
"Several incidents of vandalism occurred in small places where outsiders, never involved in labour protests before, appeared. The labour leaders told me they saw people in helmets and shorts - hired troublemakers." Even as the meeting was underway, at least 60 factories in Ashulia, Savar, announced closures.
Adviser Asif added, "The usual organisers of labour protests are absent in this case. Some protests are due to delayed wages, and in a few factories where owners have fled, there has been some discontent. The government has announced soft loans to address these issues, and the scope of these will be expanded."
He suggested workers' demands could be met through prolonged discussions and negotiations, saying: "Labour laws cannot be fixed in a single day."
He also indicated that the government would take strong action against "terrorists" involved in the trade of jhoot or garment waste in the apparent sector.
"The Awami League members who managed the syndicates have left. Those trying to seize control and cause violence, including outsiders, will face strict action," he said.
When asked who is attempting to seize control, he said: "In some areas, some local Awami League leaders are still there, and some local BNP leaders are involved. We are discussing this with BNP central leaders to restrain their people. We will take tough action against the influential Awami League leaders still in these areas." He said the Home Ministry has specific information, and arrests will be made based on this data.
Commenting on the need for strong steps to protect workers and the economy, Asif said, "The destruction caused by outsiders is affecting five million workers. We will take strict action against them."
Responding to another query, he said, "From today [Wednesday], police and other forces will begin operations."
Home Adviser Ariff warned of using force, if necessary, to control the situation.
He pointed out the difficulty in distinguishing between real workers and outsiders. "To save factories, workers, and the economy, we must take tough measures against a few," he said. When asked what steps would be taken, he replied: "They may be arrested or detained.
"If 50 people block a road, 500,000 people will suffer. So, if force is needed to clear them, including baton charges and water cannons, we will use it."
Ariff added: "No true worker would burn down their own workplace, as it is their livelihood. This is done by outsiders." Calling on workers to resist these outsiders, he said, "If you stop them, we will stand with you."
Claiming the incident a conspiracy, the Adviser said, "If you observe, the factories that were vibrant... the Pran Factory in Cumilla was set on fire. There was never any labour unrest at Pran. If this factory, which is rapidly expanding worldwide, is destroyed, it will affect Bangladesh's foreign currency earnings."
