Vested group trying to destabilise garment industry: Mahdi Amin

A section of people is attempting to destabilise the country's garment industry despite positive government initiatives to determine workers' wages on time, said Prime Minister's Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin.

He made the remarks on a Facebook post on Monday.

Mahdi Amin said the country's garment industry began its journey under the leadership of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman, opening up historic opportunities for women's empowerment and employment. Later, the government of BNP Chairperson Begum Khaleda Zia also played an important role in expanding the sector and ensuring workers' rights and welfare, he added.

He said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's government, elected through a popular mandate, was committed to ensuring fair wages, dignity and rights for workers. Since taking office, the government had ensured timely payment of workers' salaries and bonuses ahead of both Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Azha so they could celebrate the festivals without financial uncertainty, he added.

Noting that the garment sector supports millions of workers, officials and employees and is linked to extensive supply chains and the national economy, Mahdi Amin said workers must receive their rightful wages. At the same time, the industry's capacity, production costs, realities in other sectors and competitiveness in international markets must also be considered.

To this end, the Ministry of Labour and Employment has formed a new wage board comprising representatives of factory owners, workers and independent members to revise the minimum wages of garment workers, he said.

He expressed confidence that constructive and comprehensive discussions would lead to a fair, reasonable and balanced minimum wage. However, he voiced concern that an identified group was trying to destabilise the industry despite the government's timely initiative to determine wages.

Mahdi Amin further alleged that provocations and acts of sabotage by associates of the ousted authoritarian regime were being used to divert workers' wage demands. He said attacks and arson at factories, vandalism of police vehicles and boxes, and attacks on vehicles and infrastructure were unacceptable and ran counter to workers' interests.