State Minister for Labour Mujibul Hoque Chunnu Tuesday called upon all concerned to remain alert against any possible untoward incidents in the country’s garment sector amid political turmoil. He suggested the factory owners refrain from taking any sort of decisions including termination of workers which might fuel fresh labour unrest in the sector. “Now the country is passing through a critical period. So, you should refrain from taking any unpleasant decisions so that the vested group can’t capitalize on it,” the minister said. The minister was speaking at the core committee’s meeting on crisis management at his secretariat office in the city. Labour Secretary Mikail Shipar was also present there, which was attended by representatives from apparel makers, labour leaders, Industrial Police and Fire Service and Civil Defense. The minister suggested the apparel makers pay the workers timely with the annual five per cent increment. “If you terminate any worker, without any delay pay his/her due benefits according to the law,” he said. He also asked the law enforcing agencies to be alert so that some vested rights groups can not create any chaos in the garment sector. During the last 15 days, export was not hampered as shipments were sent to the ports with police escort, he noted.
