BanglaPress Desk: If garment workers do not return to work, factory owners will shut down their facilities starting tomorrow, Sunday, invoking Section 13(1) of the Labour Act. Under this provision, workers are not entitled to wages during a factory closure—essentially, no work means no pay.
This was announced today, Saturday, by Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), during a press conference. The event was jointly organized by the BGMEA and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) at the BGMEA office in Uttara, Dhaka. Earlier in the day, owners from over a thousand garment factories had participated in a joint consultative meeting held by the two organizations.
The BGMEA president stated, "Currently, 55 factories in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur are closed indefinitely under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act. Additionally, production was halted in 92 other factories due to worker protests. From tomorrow, any factory where production is not feasible may also be closed by invoking Section 13(1)."
Mahmud Hasan Khan mentioned that the owners' side intends to present their proposal to the Wage Board this coming Monday. However, he noted that a decision on whether to participate in the board's discussions will be made based on whether the current unrest persists.
Meanwhile, a coalition of five labor organizations held a joint press conference yesterday, Friday, urging workers to exercise patience and restraint.
Labor leaders stated, "The Wage Board is currently working to determine fair wages. Workers should avoid any actions that could disrupt this process and must refrain from engaging in provocations or subversive activities. We urge the workers to return to their jobs to allow the Wage Board the space to conduct its discussions."
Addressing the factory owners, the labor leaders added, "Protests are currently limited to only one or two locations. We must keep the path open for resolving these issues through dialogue."
Garment workers have been protesting for higher wages since last month. On November 1, the government established a Minimum Wage Board. During the board's second meeting last Monday, the workers' representative proposed a minimum wage of 32,000 Taka. The third meeting of the board is scheduled for this coming Monday. The situation in the industrial area has improved somewhat since the wage board discussions began. However, it has not yet become completely calm.
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