Trade union leaders in Bangladesh’s readymade garment industry called on the government to ensure security of foreigners and garment workers so buyers can have their confidence restored after terror attacks. The Confederation of Garment Workers made the call at a press conference in Dhaka yesterday. International buyers of Bangladesh’s garment products feel insecure to visit Bangladesh after recent terror attacks, including Gulshan incident in which 17 foreigners were killed. “We are worried after the Gulshan tragedy as victims also included people from garment business. This is a threat for the buyers’ security in Bangladesh,” said Sirajul Islam Rony, convenor of the Confederation. “I think it’s a conspiracy to destroy our apparel industry which is giving jobs to millions,” he said. Sirajul Islam, also president of Bangladesh Garment Workers and Employees League, urged the authorities to ensure security for the RMG stakeholders, foreigners, buyers and buyers’ representatives. He said: “We want to work together in the fight against terrorists to save lives of workers in our clothing industry.” Sirajul Islam asked the workers to remain alert against any terror rumours designed to spread panic among people. Confederation leaders including Abul Hossain, Tapan Saha, Bahrain Sultan Bahar, Shahidullah Badol, Md Rafiq, Asad Choudhury, Abul Kalam Azad, Roksana Akter, Arafat Zakaria, Md Mostafa and Tanvir Hossain were also present at the press conference.
