The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has alleged that factories have been set on fire and vandalised following rumours of disappearances. The organisation stated that entrepreneurs in the garment sector are dissatisfied with the security of their factories. They claim that arson and vandalism are being carried out based on these rumours, and timely cooperation from law enforcement is lacking.
BGMEA Senior Vice President, Abdullah Hill Rakib, made these remarks during a press conference on Monday.
He said, "We are demanding security, otherwise our factories will suffer damage due to labour unrest."
At the press conference, factory owners expressed concerns that despite the workers' 18-point demands, dissatisfaction persists in the garment sector, as some groups are spreading rumours, taking advantage of the deteriorating law and order situation.
Rakib further emphasised that it is the government's responsibility to provide security, stating, "A strict stance must be taken on this matter. The perpetrators of anarchy must be investigated and brought to justice."
Hafizur Rahman, Chairman of Lusaka Group, claimed, "Suddenly, the head of human resource administration was attacked and severely beaten. A case was filed against some workers responsible for assaulting the head of the human resources department, but it was later withdrawn due to their demands. However, the workers have not ceased their protests and are now refusing to work."
Rahman added, "They keep a list of officials and demand their dismissal. I assured them that action would be taken if the officials were involved in any misconduct. But the workers are firm in their demands and will not return to work until those officials are dismissed."
Barrister Shehrin Salam Oishi, Director of BGMEA and Director of Envoy Design Limited, said, "Although there were no demands at the onset of the labour unrest, an 18-point demand list was suddenly presented. The factory's production has been halted for at least 20 days."
Oishi added, "On 9th October, workers attacked the general manager and another senior official, one of whom suffered severe spinal injuries, while the other required 21 stitches."
She concluded, "When criminal acts go unpunished, we are essentially allowing them to happen. We want to run the factory and seek a peaceful environment from the government. If this is not ensured, we will be unable to continue operations."
