Non-payment of wages, arrears and other financial benefits before Eid may cause labour unrest at around hundred apparel units in and around Dhaka city, officials said. Citing a government intelligence report, they said labour unrest might flare up in a number of garment factories in Dhaka, Tongi, Savar, Ashulia and Narayanganj industrial hubs. They also warned that trouble might spread fast as it did in the past and might lead to massive protests in the country’s highest foreign currency-earning sector. The warning came after some 82 out of the 2,394 factories surveyed were found non-compliant in terms of clearing monthly wages, outstanding and other financial benefits ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr. Based on the findings, the members of the law enforcement agencies were ordered to step up their vigilance and monitoring in the country’s major apparel industrial zones to avert unwanted incidents. Over the last several years, the export-oriented sector witnessed unrest over non-payment of wages, allowances and bonuses before two Eid festivals. It also recommended that quick measures be taken by ministries, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) after identifying the RMG factories that failed to pay wages and allowances to their workers. The special report suggested that necessary efforts be made to ensure payment every month and strongly monitor to suppress any provocation by evil groups. To avoid any untoward incidents, the authorities concerned already started talks with the factory authorities over the issues. The government, BGMEA and BKMEA have strengthened security measures at garment factories located in Dhaka, Narayanganj, Ashulia, Tongi, and other parts of the country. Intelligence officials and industrial police are also on alert. When contacted over phone on Friday, commerce secretary Md Mofizul Islam said, “I have yet to receive any report on apparel issues.” BGMEA President Dr Rubana Huq said, “Many RMG owners failed to pay due salaries to their workers. We have started talks with the garment factory owners who are vulnerable.” She added: “We are trying to solve the existing problem on a one-to-one basis.” A BGMEA member, however, said the factory owners would pay wages and allowances to their workers in time. There are some factories which are not the members of BGMEA or BKMEA. They are very vulnerable to workers’ unrest at any time, sources concerned said. Labour leaders said the factory owners would be responsible for any unstable situation over non-payment of wages or allowances. Despite frequent attempts over phone, the director general of Industrial Police cannot be reached for his comments about possible labour unrest. According to BGMEA, about 4,369 factories are listed with the association. On the other hand, about 1,100 factories are listed with BKMEA.
