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ensure workers rights, while owners expressed their concerns over the role
of such unions in the industry. However both the sides were unanimous on
bringing the culprits to book, who are responsible for the damage caused
to the prime foreign exchange earning sector. A vested quarter is behind
the recent labour unrest, they told a discussion in Dhaka. The Centre for
Policy Dialogue organised the dialogue on "Investment scenario and the
recent incidents in the industrial sector." Chaired by CPD Chairman
Professor Rehman Sobhan, it was addressed by Commerce Minister Faruk Khan
as chief guest. Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya, the distinguished fellow of the
private think tank moderated the discussion, aimed at suggesting ways and
means to resolve frequent RMG workers' unrest. "Why do you (owners) fear
trade unionism?" questioned politician and a labour leader Shahidullah
Chowdhury. " Look at the issue positively and things will improve," he said.
Dr Wajedul Islam Khan blamed factory owners for not following the ILO
convention ratified by Bangladesh, which allows trade unionism.
Politicians Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Monjurul Ahsan Khan and Saiful Haque
also agreed with them on trade unionism. "There are genuine reasons for
workers' demonstration. They are deprived of due wages and overtime
payment," Rono said. "Healthy trade unionism can resolve many of the
problems faced by the garment sector," said Monjurul Ahsan Khan. Tuhin
Chowdhury, a garment worker, said retired army officials who are employed
at almost every factory often create constraints for workers, instead of
helping them. President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of
Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Annisul Huq, also a garment factory owner,
said they are afraid of trade unionism because their experience in this
regard is not good. He also smelt outsiders' involvement in the recent
destruction in some garment factories. Fazlul Hoque, president of the
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) echoed
the FBCCI chief's view. Rokia Afzal Rahman, a former adviser to the
caretaker government, said, "It seems that some incidents are instigated
from outside." Abdul Hye Sarker, president of Bangladesh Textile Mills
Association, and AK Azad, the owner of the recently burnt Hameem Factory,
urged the government to investigate when and why an owner failed to pay
wages to his or her workers. The commerce minister said the Awami
League-led government is pledge- bound to allow trade unionism to ensure
workers rights in all sectors. "We want it. We have mentioned it in our
election manifesto," Faruk Khan said.
