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Heberlein success story continues: new Swiss owners for long-established company

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RMG Bangladesh
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Heberlein, founded in 1835, successfully completed the sale of its business on 31st of October 2023. The new joint ownership comprises the company’s management, alongside industry expert Daniel Lippuner and the Renaissance investment foundation. From November 1, 2023, the company will operate under the name “Heberlein Technology AG”

The owners are committed to investing in the long-term success of a business that already combines traditional values with innovative power. The brand is known for its high level of expertise, as well as its tailor-made solutions for the textile business. As the world’s leading supplier of jets for synthetic yarns, Heberlein develops, produces, and distributes key components for the man-made fibre industry. Around 80 employees and an efficient infrastructure in Wattwil, Switzerland, ensure that international customers can continue to rely on quality and reliability.

Figure: Management at Heberlein Technology AG: (left to right) Roland Messmer, COO; Roger Rueegg, CMO; Martin Zuercher, CEO; Patrick Buchmueller, CTO; Erich Peter, CFO.

The Renaissance investment foundation was established by pension funds, for pension funds, and has been investing in unlisted Swiss SMEs for over 20 years.

Under the new ownership, the Heberlein business will continue unchanged at the current location in Wattwil with the current management and all current employees.

The board of directors and management of Heberlein AG welcome this solution and are convinced that the existence of the company and its traditions will now be secured in the long term and that it will continue to develop successfully – positive news also for the business location of Toggenburg and the canton of St. Gallen.

Martin Zuercher, CEO of Heberlein, says of the transaction: “With this sale, we are opening a new, positive chapter in the company’s long history. With the Renaissance investment foundation, we found an owner who is focused on long-term success. Together with the energetic management team, I look forward to continuing to make a significant contribution to Heberlein’s success in the future.”

Minimum wages for RMG workers to be fixed in Nov, effective in Dec

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RMG Bangladesh
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The Minimum Wage Board Chairman Liaquat Ali Mollah said that the minimum wage of garment workers will be decided by the second week of November. He said that the increased salary will be effective from next December. Liaquat said this at the end of the fifth meeting of the Employer-Labor and Minimum Wage Board on Wednesday (1 November).

Liaquat Ali Mollah said, “Our most important thing was to bring salary from 7 grades to 5. Both the owners and workers have agreed in this issue.

Figure: Minimum wages for RMG workers to be fixed in Nov, effective in Dec.

The board chairman said, “Another meeting will be held in the second week of this month regarding the minimum wage. The minimum wage will be determined in that meeting. In that day’s meeting, BGMEA has been asked to submit a proposal in written form. The proposal given earlier by BGMEA is very different from the proposal given by the workers. Hopefully, it will come down.”

Siddiqur Rahman, the former president of BGMEA, said in the meeting, “There is always some difference between the proposals of the workers and the owners. We made this proposal in the last meeting keeping in mind the state of the global economy and the various contexts of industrial entrepreneurs. Considering all things, wages should be increased. We will raise wages and present it to the board in written form at the next meeting.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of State for Labor and Employment Monnujan Sufian told the Parliament that the relevant ministries of the government are trying to re-fix the wages of the workers in the garment industry sector on time.

Monnujan Sufian said this in a written reply to a question of Awami League Member of Parliament Nuruddin Chowdhury Nayan in the session of Jatiya Sangsad on Wednesday (November 1).

State Minister also said that the current labor-friendly government is committed to establishing the rights of the working people of the country. Garment workers are among those who directly contribute to peace, production and development in industrial establishments. The current government has taken various steps to protect the interests and welfare of the working people working in the garment sector of the country.

For the last few days, garment workers have been protesting in different parts of the country demanding a minimum wage of Tk 23,000. Among them, they have also carried out programs like blocking the highway in Gazipur and Savar areas. The workers clashed with the police several times in this program.

The home minister called the garment industry owners to a meeting at the secretariat on same day (1 November) afternoon to deal with the current unstable situation of the country’s main export-oriented industry. Salman F Rahman, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Private Industry and Investment; Atiqul Islam, Mayor, Dhaka North; BGMEA-BKMEA President and representatives of various organizations related to the sector were present there.

Salman F. Rahman said, keeping the interest of the workers in front, their salary will be increased. However, strict action will be taken against those who have destabilized the industry. Calling upon the workers to join the work, he said, “I will call upon our worker brothers and sisters to join the work.” He assured that nothing will happen against the interests of the workers.

5th meeting on minimum RMG wage ends in stalemate

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RMG Bangladesh
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The fifth meeting of the minimum wages board ended on Wednesday without finalizing new wages for readymade garment (RMG) workers of the country.

However, Liaquat Ali Mollah, chairman of the minimum wages board, said that they completed important discussions at the meeting.

The delay in coming up with revised minimum wages continue to frustrate workers as they continue to protest in demand of higher minimum wages, which they believe is currently insufficient to meet their living costs.

The manufacturers have offered workers a 25% pay raise, ignoring demands for a nearly threefold increase to the basic salary, which proved to be the focus of discontent among workers.

Police said at least 5,000 garment workers, demanding a monthly minimum wage of Tk23,000 ($208), set up roadblocks in the capital Dhaka.

Protests began last week but violence escalated on Monday when tens of thousands left their shifts and staged protests in Gazipur, where a six-storey factory was torched by workers, leading to the death of one labourer.

Another worker was killed during clashes between police and protesters.

Unions say that garment factory owners — who include ministers and influential lawmakers — have played a role in fixing the minimum wage during past negotiations.

The owners accepted the proposals of reducing the grade system from existing seven to five. The top two grades (1 and 2) will be abolished, Mollah further said.

He also said that the next meeting will be held in the second week of this month, where the owners will propose their revised proposals, adding that the new wage will be declared in the second week of November and urged the workers to be patient.

“Third parties are taking advantage of the ongoing unrest. You should not damage your own resources as if this industry is destroyed, you will be the main sufferer.”

Owners’ representative at the minimum wage board Md Siddiqur Rahman said they will revise and make a raise of the previously proposed wage of Tk10,400 amid labour unrest in different industrial zones across the country. He didn’t reveal any specific amount.

“Discussing with the manufacturers, we will submit a new proposal to the wage board and the increase will be significant. However, if the government wants, they can increase it more,” he added.

He assured that the wage of the workers is increasing from their previous proposal and he hoped that the workers will be satisfied.

Regarding the ongoing worker’s agitation, he said that a third-party may provoke the workers.

“I request our workers to refrain from any trap or provocation,” he added.

Workers’ representative Sirajul Islam Roni said that they are waiting for the proposal of the owner. Hopefully they will offer the revised proposal in line with the current market.

“We don’t demand such wages which are not possible to pay from the owners’ ends. We have to consider the current industry capacity amid the global economic turmoil. I have demanded that the wages should be increased so that a worker can live well with his family,” he added.

In response to a question on the current situation in the RMG sector, he stated that they favour sensible labour movement.

“I do not support any vandalism and the recent movement may have been fueled by outsiders or a third party, I do not think actual workers are involved in any factory vandalism,” he went on to say.

Previously, on October 22, workers’ representatives suggested Tk20,393 for RMG workers’ minimum wages, while owners’ representatives proposed Tk10,400, both increases from the current minimum wage of Tk8,000 set in 2018 for entry-level workers.

On April 9 earlier this year, the Ministry of Labour and Employment formed the wage board of four permanent members, led by Senior District Judge Liaquat Ali Mollah, to review the pay of RMG employees.

RMG producers demand factory protection

Manufacturers of the readymade garment (RMG) sector on Wednesday demanded security of their industry facilities amid the ongoing workers’ unrest in this sector regarding a raise in the wages.

They also demanded to arrest the individuals involved in the ongoing unrest in this sector immediately.

Manufacturers were speaking at a general meeting with its members, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in its Uttara office of the capital on Wednesday.

Nearly 200 factory owners gathered at the Uttara office to express their concern regarding the ongoing unrest in the garment factories over the last one week.

They also urged the government to issue a special notification allowing the implementation of section 13/1 of the labour law.

The section 13 (1) of the labour law entails that an employer may, in the event of an illegal strike in any section or department of any establishment, close down either wholly or partly such section or establishment.

RMG owners seek implementation of section 13/1 of labour law to tackle ongoing unrest

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RMG Bangladesh
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Apparel exporters have urged to government to issue a special notification allowing the implementation of section 13/1 of the labour law. 

They made the request, during a general discussion at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) bhaban in Uttara in the capital, in the pretext of the ongoing workers protest in apparel industrial zones.

A general discussion at Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) bhaban in Uttara. Photo: TBS

The section 13 (1) of the labour law entails that an employer may, in the event of an illegal strike in any section or department of any establishment, close down either wholly or partly such section or establishment. 

Hameem Group Managing Director AK Azad said the decision should be area-based, factories in areas where unrest and vandalisation is occurring should be declared closed. On the other hand, the areas there is no unrest should continue with their operations.

He also mentioned that every factory should take a unified decision to follow section 13/1. 

AK Azad said they have handed over some video footage to law enforcement agencies which shows his employees were attacked in his factory, but no action has been taken yet. 

He said his four factories in Ashulia were closed, and it is very difficult to continue operations during this unrest. 

Abdus Salam, former deputy inspector general of industrial police said, there’s a lack of coordination on how to resolve the issues brought on by the workers. 

“If workers take to the streets it is very difficult to bring them back to factory”, added Salam.

RMG owners agree on higher minimum wage

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RMG Bangladesh
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Chairman of the Minimum Wage Board Liaquat Ali Mollah said the next meeting will be held in the second week of November

The owners of ready-made garment (RMG) factories have agreed to pay higher minimum wages to garment workers than Tk10,400, which they proposed earlier.

“We have agreed to increase the minimum wage [of workers] and we will present a written proposal to the board at our next meeting,” Siddiqur Rahman, the owners’ representative on the wage board, said today.

“I can say that the increase in the wage will be significant compared to the previously proposed wage,” he told reporters after a meeting of the wage board at the capital’s Topkhana Road.

“Despite our proposal, the government has the final say in this. Whatever we propose, the government can increase or decrease the amount if it wants,” he said.

Photo: Rajib Dhar

Referring to the RMG workers’ unrest over the minimum wage hike, Siddiqur Rahman said, “We know who is involved in this unrest. The agitation is on purpose, and there are outsiders involved, but some workers are also participating in it.”

Commenting on the issue, Sirajul Islam Rony, the workers’ representative on the wage board, said, “We will also meet with various labour unions to discuss this issue at length.”

He said, “The livelihoods of nearly 5 crore people are at stake here. That is why we are trying to negotiate a fair minimum wage for the next five years, given the current market and economic conditions. The owners have expressed their willingness to raise the wage, and I am optimistic that we will reach an agreement in the next meeting.”

Urging workers to join work peacefully, Rony said, “Interrupting work now will hinder our strategy of getting our demands met.”

At the last wage board meeting on 22 October, Rony proposed a minimum wage of Tk20,393. The owners countered with an offer of Tk10,400, which led to dissatisfaction and unrest among workers.

Thousands of garment workers have been protesting at major RMG industrial zones since 23 October, demanding Tk23,000 as the monthly minimum wage.

Currently, the RMG workers’ minimum wage is Tk8,000.

Asked if the owners’ proposal would meet the workers’ demands, Sirajul Islam Rony said, “I am optimistic.”

He also said he does not support workers protesting, taking to the streets, or vandalising property when a discussion on the minimum wage is ongoing.

Liaquat Ali Mollah, chairman of the minimum wage board, said, “The minimum wage will be finalised in November and will go into effect in December. Workers will start receiving their new salaries and allowances in January.”

Urging workers not to be provoked, he said, “You get your livelihood from here. So, I request you to remain calm and focused.”

The garment sector’s ongoing unrest intensified on Wednesday, with more workers joining the protests. This has increased the risk of supply chain disruptions, industry insiders say.

Most RMG factories in Dhaka’s Ashulia remained closed on Wednesday, some indefinitely, as unrest continued.

At a meeting at the BGMEA office in Uttara in the capital on Wednesday, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan said, “Owners will implement the minimum wage announced by the government. Whenever it is announced, we will implement the new wages from December.”

He said, “If any employer fails to pay the government-announced wage, then the workers can go on strike.”

মজুরি বাড়ানোর দাবিতে শ্রমিকরা আন্দোলনে, বন্ধ ৩০০ কারখানা

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RMG Bangladesh
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শ্রমিকদের বিক্ষোভ দীর্ঘায়িত হওয়ায় ‘কাজ না করলে মজুরি নেই’ পন্থা নিতে চান মালিকপক্ষ 

বুধবার শ্রমিক আন্দোলনের কারণে অনেক কারখানা বন্ধ রাখা হয়। মিরপুরের একটি কারখানায় সন্তান কোলে কাজে যোগ দিতে আসা এক নারী শ্রমিক বাড়ি ফিরে যাচ্ছেন। ছবি: সৈয়দ জাকির হোসেন/টিবিএস

মজুরি বাড়ানোর দাবিতে শ্রমিকদের চলমান আন্দোলনের মধ্যে মিরপুর, আশুলিয়া, চন্দ্রা, গাজীপুর ও অন্যান্য এলাকার অন্তত ৩০০টি পোশাক তাদের কার্যক্রম বন্ধ করেছে।    

শ্রমিক-সংক্রান্ত বিষয় তদারকির সাথে সংশ্লিষ্ট বিজিএমইএ’র কর্মকর্তাদের মতে, গতকাল মঙ্গলবার গাজীপুর, চন্দ্রা, কাশিমপুর, আশুলিয়া, কালিয়াকৈর, শফীপুর ও মিরপুরের প্রায় ২৫০টি কারখানা বন্ধ করা হয়েছে। বুধবার তার সাথে আরও ৫০–৬০টি কারখানা যোগ দিয়েছে।   

তবে বন্ধ হওয়া কারখানার সঠিক সংখ্যা সম্পর্কে এখনও নিশ্চিত হওয়া যায়নি।

শ্রমিক বিক্ষোভের প্রতিক্রিয়ায় কারখানা মালিকেরা ‘কাজ ছাড়া বেতন নেই’ এমন পন্থা অবলম্বন করছেন, তবে এই কৌশলে হিতেবিপরীত হবে এমন আশঙ্কা করছেন মালিকপক্ষের কেউ কেউ।  

বাংলাদেশের অর্থনীতি যখন আমদানি-রপ্তানির সমস্যা, বিশ্ববাজারে চাহিদা হ্রাস, ডলারের বিপরীতে টাকার অবমূল্যায়ন এবং উচ্চ মূল্যস্ফীতির মতোন বহুবিধ চ্যালেঞ্জের মধ্যে রয়েছে, তারমধ্যেই ঘটছে শ্রমিকদের আন্দোলন। 

রপ্তানিকারকরা সতর্কবার্তা দিচ্ছেন যে, দ্রুততর সময়ের মধ্যে এর সমাধান করা নাহলে বাংলাদেশের রপ্তানিতে নেতিবাচক প্রভাব পড়বে। দেশের অর্থনীতির জন্য অত্যন্ত গুরুত্বপূর্ণ পোশাক খাত, ২০২২-২৩ অর্থবছরে মোট রপ্তানিতে প্রায় ৮৫ শতাংশ অবদান রাখে এই খাত। 

আশুলিয়ায় তিনটি পোশাক কারখানা রয়েছে রেজা গ্রুপের। এ প্রতিষ্ঠানের চেয়ারম্যান এ কে এম শহীদ রেজা বলেন, ‘বুধবার (১ নভেম্বর) আশুলিয়ার সব কারখানার কর্মকাণ্ড ব্যাহত হয়েছে, শ্রমিকরা তাদের টাইম কার্ড ব্যবহার করে প্রবেশ করে, আবার মুখ ঢেকে বেরিয়ে গেছে।’ 

বুধবার আশুলিয়ায় সরেজমিন ঘরে, সেখানকার প্রায় সকল পোশাক কারখানা বন্ধ থাকার ঘটনাই দেখেছেন দ্য বিজনেস স্ট্যান্ডার্ডের প্রতিবেদক। টানা তিনদিন ধরে শ্রমিকদের বিক্ষোভ জোরালো আকার ধারণ করায় ইতোমধ্যে কিছু কারখানার মালিকপক্ষ অনির্দিষ্টকাল সাধারণ ছুটি ঘোষণাও করেছেন।

বুধবার ফ্যাশনইট কোম্পানি লিমিটেডের কারখানার সামনে অনির্দিষ্টকালের সাধারণ ছুটির নোটিশ ঝুলতে দেখা যায়। বুধবারে সাধারণ ছুটির ঘোষণার নোটিশ আরও কয়েকটি কারখানার সামনেও দেখা যায়। এসব নোটিশে উল্লেখ ছিল, বৃহস্পতিবারে কারখানা খুলবে।  

নাবা নিট কম্পোজিট লিমিটেডের একজন শ্রমিক মঞ্জুরুল হক বলেন, ‘ন্যূনতম মজুরি বাড়ানোর দাবিতে গত ৩০ অক্টোবর থেকে আমরা আন্দোলন করছি। রবি ও সোমবারে কারখানা খোলা ছিল, কিন্তু আজ (বুধবার) কাজে যোগ দিতে আসলে, কারখানা কর্তৃপক্ষ আমাদের চলে যেতে বলে।’   

পরিস্থিতি স্বাভাবিক না হওয়া পর্যন্ত কারখানা বন্ধ থাকবে বলেই মঞ্জুরুলকে জানান কারখানা কর্তৃপক্ষ। 

যেকোন অনাকাঙ্ক্ষিত পরিস্থিতি মোকাবিলায় এরমধ্যেই বেশকিছু কারখানার সামনে অতিরিক্ত পুলিশ সদস্যদের মোতায়েন করা হয়েছে। 

বুধবার আশুলিয়ার শ্রমিক আন্দোলনের সার্বিক চিত্র কিছুটা শান্তই ছিল। এরমধ্যে জামগরা, নিশ্চিন্তপুর ও আশেপাশের এলাকায় শ্রমিকেরা সড়ক অবরোধ ও বিচ্ছিন্নভাবে মিছিলের চেষ্টা করলে শিল্পাঞ্চল পুলিশ দ্রুতই শ্রমিকদের ছত্রভঙ্গ করে দেয়।   

নাম প্রকাশ না করার শর্তে শিল্পাঞ্চল পুলিশের একজন কর্মকর্তা টিবিএস’কে বলেন, ‘বিচ্ছিন্ন কিছু ঘটনা বাদে আজকের (বুধবার) পরিস্থিতি ছিল স্বাভাবিক।’

শিল্পাঞ্চল পুলিশ-১ এর সুপারিনটেনডেন্ট মোহাম্মদ সারোয়ার আলম বলেন, ‘মঙ্গলবারে যেমনটা ছিল, বুধবার তার চেয়ে অনেকটা শান্ত ছিল আশুলিয়ার পরিস্থিতি। কিছু কারখানা খোলা থাকলেও সড়কের দুইপাশের বেশিরভাগ কারখানা বন্ধই ছিল।’  

কাজ না করলে মজুরি নয়: মালিকপক্ষ

এদিকে পোশাক রপ্তানিকারকরা বলেছেন, তারা শ্রম আইনের ১৩/১ ধারা অনুসরণ করবেন। যেখানে বলা হয়েছে, ‘কোন প্রতিষ্ঠানের কোন শাখা বা বিভাগে বে-আইনী ধর্মঘটের কারণে মালিক উক্ত শাখা বা প্রতিষ্ঠান আংশিক বা সম্পূর্ণ বন্ধ করিয়া দিতে পারিবেন, এবং এরূপ বন্ধের ক্ষেত্রে ধর্মঘটে অংশগ্রহণকারী শ্রমিকগণ কোন মজুরী পাইবেন না।’ 

বাংলাদেশের পোশাক প্রস্তুত ও রপ্তানিকারকদের শীর্ষ সংগঠন – বিজিএমইএ বুধবার রাজধানীর উত্তরায় তাদের সদরদপ্তরে উদ্ভূত পরিস্থিতি নিয়ে জরুরি সাধারণ সভা করে। সেখানে বিজিএমইএ সভাপতি ফারুক হাসান ‘নো ওয়ার্ক, নো পে’ (কাজ না করলে মজুরি নয়) এ নিয়ম অনুসরণের ঘোষণা দেন। 

চলমান শ্রমিক আন্দোলনের প্রেক্ষাপটে তাদের অবস্থান ও মতামত তুলে ধরতে সভায় যোগ দেন প্রায় ২০০ কারখানা মালিক।  

সভায় হা-মীম গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক এ কে আজাদ বলেন, কারখানা বন্ধের সিদ্ধান্ত এলাকা-ভিত্তিক হওয়া উচিত। যেসব এলাকায় বিক্ষোভ ও ভাঙচুর হবে, সেখানে কারখানা বন্ধ রাখতে হবে। 
এসময় অনেক উদ্যোক্তা এ কে আজাদের সাথে একমত পোষণ করেন। তাদের মধ্যে ছিলেন বিজিএমইএ-র সহ-সভাপতি জামাল উদ্দিনও। তিনি বলেন, শ্রমিক আন্দোলনের কারণে যে কয়দিন কারখানা বন্ধ থাকবে, শুধুমাত্র সেক্ষেত্রে ‘নো ওয়ার্ক, নো পে’ নীতি কার্যকর করা যেতে পারে। এবিষয়ে সবার সম্মতি দরকার। 

বিশৃঙ্খলার সাথে জড়িতদের বিরুদ্ধে ব্যবস্থা নিন: মালিকপক্ষ

সভায় বিজিএমইএ সভাপতি ফারুক হাসান বলেন, ‘গত কয়েক দিনে আমরা শতাধিক শ্রমিক সংগঠনের সঙ্গে কথা বলেছি। তারা সবাই বলেছে, তাদের কেউই ভাঙচুরের সাথে জড়িত নয়। তাহলে এসব করছে কারা!’

তিনি বলেন, ‘চলমান ভাঙচুর, সহিংসতার সাথে জড়িতদের অবিলম্বে গ্রেপ্তার করতে হবে। আড়ালে থেকে যারা বিশৃঙ্খলায় উসকানি দিচ্ছে তাদের বিরুদ্ধে ব্যবস্থা নিতে আমরা ইতোমধ্যেই এনএসআই, ডিজিএফআই-সহ সরকারের অন্যান্য সংস্থার সাথে যোগাযোগ করেছি।’

সকল আইনশৃঙ্খলা বাহিনীর প্রতি পোশাক কারখানা ও কর্মীদের সুরক্ষা নিশ্চিত করার অনুরোধও করেন বিজিএমইএ সভাপতি।

শিল্পাঞ্চলক পুলিশের সাবেক উপ-মহাপরিদর্শক আব্দুস সালাম বলেন, ‘শ্রমিকেরা যেসব দাবিদাওয়া তুলেছে, সেগুলো সমাধানের ক্ষেত্রে সমন্বয়ের ঘাটতি আছে। শ্রমিকরা যদি আন্দোলন করতে রাস্তায় নামে, তাহলে তাদের কারখানায় ফেরানো খুব কঠিন হবে।’

বহিরাগতরা সুবিধা নিচ্ছে, দাবি পোশাকশিল্প নেতাদের

বিজিএমইএর সাবেক সভাপতি শফিউল ইসলাম মহিউদ্দিন বলেন, ‘পাঁচ বছর পরপর মজুরি বোর্ডের সভা বসে। কিন্তু নির্বাচনের আগে হওয়ায় দেশি-বিদেশি একটি চক্র এই সময়ের সুযোগ নিতে চাইছে; অনেক ষড়যন্ত্র ভর করেছে এই খাতে।’

তিনি বলেন, চলমান সংকটের কারণে অনেক পোশাকমালিক হয়তো তাদের ব্যবসা হারাবেন। অনেকে ঋণখেলাপি হয়ে পড়বেন। 

সভায় বিজিএমইএর জ্যেষ্ঠ সহসভাপতি এস এম মান্নান কচি অভিযোগ করেন, বহিরাগতরাই মারামারি ও কারখানা জ্বালিয়ে দেওয়ার সাথে জড়িত।

হা-মীম গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক এ কে আজাদ বলেন, ‘আমরা আইন প্রয়োগকারী সংস্থার কাছে ইতিমধ্যে কিছু ভিডিও ফুটেজ হস্তান্তর করেছি।’ এসব ভিডিও’তে তার কারখানার ভেতরে কর্মীদের ওপর হামলার প্রমাণ আছে। কিন্তু এখনো কোন পদক্ষেপ নেওয়া হয়নি বলে অভিযোগ করেন তিনি।  

তিনি জানান, আশুলিয়ায় হা–মীমের চারটি কারখানা বন্ধ হয়ে গেছে। এই অস্থির সময়ে কার্যক্রম চালিয়ে যাওয়া খুবই কঠিন।

সভায় যোগ দেওয়া বিজিএমইএ নেতা ও কারখানা মালিকেরা সরকারের প্রতি কারখানা ও শ্রমিকদের নিরাপত্তা নিশ্চিত করার আহ্বান জানান। 

Workers’ wages will be higher than factory owners’ proposal: Labour minister

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The minimum wage for ready-made garments workers would be set higher than that proposed by the factory owners, State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian said today.

“There is a meeting of the Minimum Wage Board on 1 November. The parties concerned will discuss these issues there and wages will be fixed by 30 November,” said the minister.

Asked if the minimum wage will be more than the Tk10,400 offered by factory owners, the minister said, “It will definitely be more. The wage must be set higher than what the garment factory owners have proposed.”

After a press conference today at the Secretariat discussing the current situation of the garment industry and the ongoing protests in Gazipur, the state minister said there is still a month to go for determining the wages. 

“There are rumours that the minimum wage has been fixed at Tk10,400. It will be fixed by the wage board through negotiation.”

In a ministry statement on Monday (30 October), she urged the agitated workers to return to work and not be confused by anyone’s words.

Former shipping minister Shajahan Khan, also present at the conference, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will arrange an acceptable wage.

Addressing the workers, he said, “The wage is not yet fixed; still plenty of time. There is no reason to be confused. Trust the prime minister.”

He further said the owners’ side and the labourers’ side will give two proposals. Then they will negotiate. 

“The chairman of the wage board will make a recommendation. Then comes the ministry. Then the prime minister comes in. She usually increases the amount. This method must be followed and it must be accepted by all.”

Earlier, a board was formed to determine the workers’ wages. The new wages were fixed for 5 years from December 2018. It will expire on 30 November. 

The labour minister said, the chairman of the wage board sat with the owners and workers who have stated what the minimum wage should be.

“But, garment workers have taken to the streets pressing home various demands. Some people have spread confusion among them saying Tk10,400 proposed by the owners has been fixed as the minimum wage. Workers are now worried. It’s not right.”

Commenting that there is no point in creating such confusion, Shajahan Khan said the wage board is holding four meetings and has yet to take a final decision. 

On 29 October, Begum Monnujan Sufian said garments workers’ new wage structure will be finalised by 30 November and in effect from 1 December this year.

Readymade garments factory owners proposed to the minimum wage board Tk10,400 as the minimum monthly wage, against the proposal of Tk20,393 as the minimum wage from the workers’ organisations at the fourth meeting of the wage board.New RMG wage structure to take effect from 1 December: Monnujan Sufian

Different labour rights groups rejected both aforesaid proposals and instead demanded Tk23,000–Tk25,000 as the minimum monthly wage.

The Industrial Bangladesh Council (IBC), which consists of 18 labour federations, demands a Tk23,000 minimum wage, with a 65% basic wage and an annual 10% increment.

Destroying factories means destroying your livelihood: PM tells agitating workers

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After the Awami League government assumed office in 2009, it incrementally raised wages, Hasina said

Addressing the ongoing garments workers’ unrest, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the workers risk their livelihoods when they damage factories.

“If the factories that provide you with employment are damaged, where will you find jobs? In such a scenario, returning to your village might become your only option,” she said while speaking at a press briefing on her Brussels visit at the Gonobhaban on Tuesday (31 October).

A file photo of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina speaking at a press conference at Gonobhaban. Photo: PID

The premier said, “When the garment workers made their demands, our labour ministry formed a committee to address the issue. The committee is actively engaged in discussions, and during these deliberations, it was mentioned that there may be a wage increase starting in December. The exact amount of the increase is still under consideration.

“Amidst these negotiations, a sudden wave of arson and factory destruction incidents occurred, resulting in the tragic loss of two lives. This is indeed a deeply unfortunate situation.”Will teach ‘terrorist organisation’ BNP lesson they need to be taught: PM

After the Awami League government assumed office in 2009, it incrementally raised wages, Hasina said, adding, “In the first phase, it was increased from Tk1,600 to Tk3,500. In the second phase, it reached Tk5,300, and in the third phase, it was raised to Tk8,300.”

She went on to say, “We have not only established day care centres for their [RMG workers] children and implemented fire-fighting systems but also transformed these industries into environmentally friendly ones. Our support extends to providing tiffin allowances and maternity leave, among other benefits.”

Agitating garment workers have been clashing with police in Gazipur since morning to push home their own demand for a hike in the minimum wage. They vandalised and set fire to police boxes in Safipur and Chandra areas. The RMG workers also launched an attack at a private hospital in Shafipur.Attempts to destabilise RMG sector unfortunate: Raushan

On the other hand, clashes broke out between protesting RMG workers, Awami League activisits and police in Dhaka’s Mirpur area since the morning.

Garment workers have been protesting for a week demanding a minimum wage of Tk23,000, despite efforts by the government, workers’ leaders, and owners’ associations to normalise the situation.

On 21 October, readymade garments factory workers demanded that their minimum wage be increased from the existing Tk8,000 to Tk20,390 while the owners have proposed to increase it to Tk10,400.

On Monday (30 October), at least two people were killed and about 40 injured in massive clashes between police and ready-made garment workers in several industrial areas in Ashulia, Savar, and Gazipur. 

Following yesterday’s clashes, State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian said the minimum wage for ready-made garments workers would be set higher than that proposed by the factory owners.

Attempts to destabilise RMG sector unfortunate: Raushan

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She also urged the workers to remain calm and wait for the wage board’s decision

Leader of the opposition and Jatiya Party chief patron Raushan Ershad today denounced the attacks, vandalism and torching of vehicles carried out by garment workers in Gazipur and Savar.

“It is the collective responsibility and duty of all of us to closely monitor the current political situation of the country to prevent any potential impact on our economy,” she said in a statement

Raushan said, “We can see the ongoing efforts to sow discord among the workers in our crucial export sector. It is an unfortunate development for our nation.”

She extended condolences to the families of the two workers who lost their lives during the labour unrest.

The Jatiya Party chief patron emphasised that workers should not be misled by any agitation until the next wage board establishes a fair salary structure. 

She also urged the workers to remain calm and wait for the wage board’s decision.

Agitating garments workers have been clashing with police in Gazipur since morning to push home their own demand for a hike in the minimum wage. They vandalised and set fire to police boxes in Safipur and Chandra areas. The RMG workers also launched an attack at a private hospital in Shafipur.

On the other hand, clashes broke out between protesting RMG workers, Awami League activisits and police in Dhaka’s Mirpur area since the morning.

Garment workers have been protesting for a week demanding a minimum wage of Tk23,000, despite efforts by the government, workers’ leaders, and owners’ associations to normalise the situation.

On 21 October, readymade garments factory workers demanded that their minimum wage be increased from the existing Tk8,000 to Tk20,390 while the owners have proposed to increase it to Tk10,400.

On Monday (30 October), at least two people were killed and about 40 injured in massive clashes between police and ready-made garment workers in several industrial areas in Ashulia, Savar, and Gazipur. 

Following yesterday’s clashes, State Minister for Labour and Employment Begum Monnujan Sufian said the minimum wage for ready-made garments workers would be set higher than that proposed by the factory owners.

BGMEA warns to shut production on ‘No work, no pay’ basis

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As the ongoing worker unrest continues to spread to new areas and intensify, the BGMEA has issued a warning that entrepreneurs may temporarily halt production for an indefinite period in accordance with the “No work, no pay” provision of the labour law.

“If the situation persists for a few more days, owners will be forced to close down their production units,” cautioned Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), on Tuesday. 

“If a factory owner observes workers unwilling to continue their jobs, engaged in unrest, or if the factory is impacted by an external attack, the owner may follow Section 13/1 of the Labour Act, which includes a ‘No work, no pay’ provision,” he said at a press briefing at his Uttara office in Dhaka.

He further said more and more factories are closing almost every day due to the ongoing unrest.

The BGMEA president mentioned that so far, two garment workers have died during the unrest.

Faruque Hassan said the BGMEA will implement the new wage structure for their workers in December of this year, in line with the recommendation of the government-formed wage board.

“The board has time until 30 November to announce the new minimum wage, and we are preparing to implement the new wage structure,” he added.

The Minimum Wage Board for the RMG sector, which has already received proposals from the representatives of workers and entrepreneurs, is scheduled to hold its fifth meeting today to determine a new wage structure for workers.

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Ready Made Garments sector is the key source of foreign currency and GDP for Bangladesh. Approximately 4.2 million people are dependent on the RMG sector for their bread and butter.
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