Workers have no connection with the protesters on the streets: Home Minister

BanglaPress Desk: Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has stated that those currently protesting on the streets and causing instability in the garment sector have no connection to genuine workers.
He made these remarks while responding to questions from journalists on Tuesday (November 3) following an inter-ministerial meeting on the management of shrimp farming areas, held at the Secretariat.
The Home Minister said, "Those who are currently creating instability in the name of protests are, in fact, acting in collusion with 'ousted forces' to carry out these misdeeds. The government will deal with the situation with a firm hand. If any individual or group engages in provocative activities aimed at shutting down garment factories, strict legal action will be taken against them."
Noting that law enforcement agencies have been given strict instructions to maintain security, peace, and order in industrial zones, Salahuddin Ahmed added that the factories currently closed will reopen soon. A new wage board has already been formed, a decision that has been welcomed by both factory owners and workers.
Emphasizing that the government is working continuously to improve the living standards of workers, the Home Minister added, "All necessary steps have been taken to protect the interests of the workers. Consequently, there is no scope for any form of instability or anarchy in the ready-made garment sector at this time."
Meanwhile, three separate cases have been filed in Gazipur in connection with the ongoing protests demanding wage increases. The charges include setting fire to police vehicles, vandalism, and obstructing government operations. These cases were filed by the police on Monday (November 2) at the Konabari, Basan, and Kaliakair police stations, with a total of 3,600 individuals named as accused.
Md. Amjad Hossain, Superintendent of Police for the Gazipur Industrial Zone, confirmed the details of the cases, stating that 32 people have been arrested so far on charges of violence and sabotage. Of these, 30 were apprehended by the police during raids conducted in various areas.
Workers from garment factories in different parts of Gazipur have been protesting to demand an increase in their wages. Widespread tension persisted yesterday in Savar, Gazipur, and the Mirpur area of ​​the capital, driven by demands to set the minimum wage at 30,000 taka, reinstate laid-off workers, and halt the blacklisting of those participating in the protests.
Yesterday, Monday, 670 factories across the country remained closed, forcing approximately 1.7 million workers to return home without being able to work. In light of the situation, an emergency meeting was held yesterday evening, involving officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Labour.
BP/KJ