Home Minister warns of stern action against those instigating garment workers’ unrest

"We will take legal action if anyone engages in any provocative activities to shut down garment factories," he told reporters after an inter-ministerial meeting on shrimp estate management at the conference room of the Land Ministry at the Secretariat.

Regarding factories that remain closed due to workers’ demonstrations on the streets, Salahuddin said steps will be taken to reopen them soon.

He said some miscreants are attempting to carry out attacks, adding that workers' demands had already been addressed through the formation of a wage board, which had also satisfied the workers.

The minister said he held discussions with leaders of garment and knitwear workers' organisations as well as representatives of factory owners, and that all sides were satisfied.

The Minimum Wage Board has already started its work, and negotiations between workers' and employers' representatives will take place as part of the process of determining the new minimum wage, he said.

Salahuddin added that the government also requested the board to consider factors that would help improve workers' living standards while setting the minimum wage.

He said the current situation offered no scope for creating further instability in the sector, reports UNB.

"Some quarters associated with the defeated fascist forces are conspiring to create unrest for political purposes and to serve their narrow political interests. We will deal with such attempts with an iron hand," he said.