Opposition leader urges action on workers’ demands before unrest escalates

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged the government to act swiftly to address garment workers’ demands before losses and unrest in the sector escalate. He called for talks with workers and employers to revise the wage structure.

The Jamaat chief made the appeal in a video message at around 2:30pm on Wednesday (4 November).

Shafiqur Rahman said workers had been protesting in various industrial areas for several days, demanding higher wages and other benefits. Many factories remained closed, while vandalism and arson had occurred in some places. The government must fulfil its responsibilities promptly to prevent further losses and leave no room for unrest, he said.

Noting that rising commodity prices had made life difficult for low-income workers, he said the wage structure should have been revised earlier through discussions with both sides, taking the workers’ demands into account.

Stressing the need to ensure workers receive their rightful dues, he said, ‘If industry survives, the country will survive. But it is also true that if workers survive, industry will survive.’

Shafiqur Rahman also urged workers to protect their workplaces. Expressing support for their legitimate rights, he asked employers to treat workers as members of their families.

In the video message, the Jamaat chief condemned the death of garment worker Toufique Hossain in Gazipur. He demanded a proper investigation to identify those responsible and swiftly bring them to justice.

Shafiqur Rahman warned that a major crisis in the garment industry would damage the country’s overall economy. He urged the government and all concerned to remain vigilant so that no one could exploit the situation to foment unrest.

Meanwhile, the minimum wage board formed to revise garment workers’ wages held its first meeting on Wednesday. After the meeting, employers’ and workers’ representatives expressed hope that the new wage structure could take effect in December. In that case, workers would receive their increased pay in January.