Bangladesh’s government on Monday accused “fugitive forces” of infiltrating garment workers’ wage protests to destabilise the industrial sector, as unrest halted production at hundreds of factories.
Mahdi Amin, the prime minister’s labour adviser and spokesperson, said in a Facebook post that associates of the ousted authoritarian government were using incitement and sabotage to divert workers’ demands. He said evidence of the infiltration had emerged.
Amin said the government remained committed to fair wages, dignity and rights for workers while weighing the industry’s capacity, production costs and international competitiveness. The Labour Ministry has formed a new wage board of employer, worker and neutral representatives to review pay, he said.
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He warned that attacks on factories, arson and vandalism of police vehicles ran counter to workers’ interests and would raise unemployment and cut export earnings. “We cannot allow terrorism, vandalism or the destruction of industries,” Amin said.
He said banned political groups exploiting the movement would fail and that those involved in violence would face justice. Law enforcement agencies would protect workers’ right to protest peacefully, he added. He urged workers to ignore rumours.
Production has halted at 690 garment factories amid the wage protests, The Business Standard reported.