Attempts being made to fuel RMG unrest: Rizvi

 
BNP Acting Secretary General Ruhul Kabir Rizvi has alleged that attempts are being made to create unrest in the garment industry and various other sectors. He said fugitive Awami League leaders and their associates were trying to create anarchy in different ways.

He made the remarks while responding to a question from journalists at the BNP's central office in Nayapaltan, Dhaka, on Friday. At a press conference, Rizvi highlighted the party's programmes marking November 7, National Revolution and Solidarity Day, and explained the significance of the day.

Rizvi said, "Workers in the garment industry may have legitimate demands, and discussions have been held over those demands. Even after the demands were accepted, incidents of factory vandalism, setting fire to police boxes and vehicles, and the beating to death of a worker took place."

The acting secretary general asked, "Does the defeated force want to pave the way for the resurgence of fascism by creating unrest in the garment industry?"
He also questioned whether attempts were being made to revive the culture of enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings to suppress dissenting opinions. He claimed that these incidents had no connection with genuine labour movements.

Rizvi alleged that many of those who instigated the recent incidents had been arrested. Most of them were leaders of Jubo League and Chhatra League. He added that the identities of factory owners involved in such activities were also gradually coming to light. According to him, most of the owners of these factories were closely associated with the Awami League and fascism. There had also been incidents of suddenly declaring factory holidays to provoke workers.

Asked whether there was any possibility of violence surrounding the November 7 procession, the acting secretary general said, "The people and the government are prepared for this. Maintaining law and order is the responsibility of the government's law enforcement agencies. They will perform their duties appropriately."

Rizvi said, "After a long wait, an elected government has taken office through the people's votes. Deliberate efforts are being made to unsettle that government and create disorder in the country. Provocations are also coming from a neighbouring country."

He said, "Many Awami League leaders and activists who looted the country's banks, financial sector and state treasury for 17 years have fled abroad. Some others have remained in the country and are trying to create anarchy."

Responding to a question about whether recent developments reflected the concerns expressed by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman over possible unrest in the garment industry, the BNP leader said, "More information reaches the Prime Minister through various sources. Some aspects of his concerns are reflected in the recent incidents."

He further said, "The movement to realise workers' legitimate demands is one thing. But vandalising factories, setting vehicles on fire and pouring petrol on police boxes before setting them ablaze are entirely different matters. It is clear to everyone who is behind these activities. The government has made sincere efforts to resolve the workers' problems, and the crisis has been resolved."

Regarding support from opposition parties for the garment workers' movement, Rizvi said he had nothing specific to say on the matter. However, he noted that these incidents had once again brought to the forefront the relationship between fascism and covert politics.