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Unrest Shuts Down 90 Garment Factories Amid Rising Tensions
Rtv News
09 Sep 2024, 14:12
Photo: Collected
Despite heightened surveillance by the government, factory owners, and law enforcement, unrest among workers in the country’s industrial zones continues to simmer. On Monday (September 9), 90 garment factories were unexpectedly shut down, even as production continued in other facilities.
According to Superintendent Sarwar Alam of Shilpa Police-1, workers from several garment factories staged walkouts in the morning without reporting for duty. In response, authorities announced the closure of 90 factories. However, no major incidents of violence were reported, and additional forces, including police, army, BGB, and RAB, were deployed to keep the situation under control.
Just a day earlier, on Sunday (September 8), 30 factories in Ashulia were also forced to close due to worker protests over various demands.
Industry insiders suggest a broader plot to destabilize the garment sector. Factory owners believe both domestic and foreign entities are involved, taking advantage of the unrest following the fall of Sheikh Hasina's government. According to some, these disruptions are part of an orchestrated effort to harm Bangladesh's vital garment industry.
Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Mohammad Hatem expressed concern, saying, "I believe these aren't genuine workers. They are attempting to create instability in different ways, and it’s clear that hidden forces are driving this unrest."
BKMEA Director Mohiuddin Rubel echoed this sentiment, pointing to potential external and internal forces conspiring together to cause instability in the garment industry.
Experts warn that with around 4 million workers directly employed in the sector and another 20 million people indirectly benefiting, any prolonged disruption in the garment industry could have severe consequences for the country’s economy.
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323 Municipal Mayor across Bangladesh dispels
Mayors of 323 municipalities across the country have been removed. The local government department issued a notification removing the mayors of 323 municipalities elected during the Awami government.
This information was informed through a notification signed by Deputy Secretary Mahbub Alam on Sunday (August 18).
It is said that by applying section 32(a) of the Local Government (Municipalities) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, the mayors of the following municipalities in Bangladesh have been removed from their respective posts.
Click here to view the list of municipal mayors.
60 Zilla Parishad Chairman, 95 Upazila Chairman removes
The chairman of 60 zilla parishads and 495 upazila parishads of the country have been removed.
A notification has been issued from the Local Government department on Monday (August 19).
According to the order, District Commissioners (DCs) will replace the removed Zilla Parishad chairmen and Upazila Executive Officers (UNOs) will perform duties in place of Upazila chairmen.
Apart from this, notification has also been issued removing the mayors of 323 municipalities elected during the Awami League government.
It is said that by applying section 32(a) of the Local Government (Municipalities) (Amendment) Ordinance, 2024, the mayors of the following municipalities in Bangladesh have been removed from their respective posts.
Earlier, last Saturday, the interim government issued separate ordinances to amend the municipal, upazila, district and city corporation laws, leaving the power to remove local government representatives and appoint administrators in special circumstances.
Since the fall of the Awami League government on August 5, this initiative to amend the law was taken in the context of the disruption of civic services due to the absence of Awami League supporting chairman, vice chairman, mayor and councilors in the zilla parishad, upazila parishad, city corporation and municipality.
City corporation Mayors being removed this time
According to the ordinance, the mayors of the city corporation are being removed this time. Administrators will be appointed after their removal.
On Monday (August 19), this information was revealed by the source of the local government department.
An official of the local government department, who did not disclose his name, said that the senior officers of the divisional commissioner's office will be appointed as administrators. The file regarding removal of City Corporation mayors has been sent to the Office of the Chief Adviser.
It is known that currently there are 12 mayors in 12 city corporations of the country. The relevant branch of the local government department has prepared a notification regarding the removal of 12 persons. At the same time the notification for appointment of Administrator has also been prepared. Notice may be issued at any time.
Currently Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh in Dhaka South City Corporation, Atiqul Islam in Dhaka North City Corporation, Rezaul Karim Chowdhury in Chattogram City Corporation, Talukdar Abdul Khalek in Khulna City Corporation, AHM Khairuzzaman Liton in Rajshahi City Corporation, Abul Khair Abdullah in Barisal City Corporation, Mostafizur Rahman Mostafa in Rangpur City Corporation, Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury in Sylhet City Corporation, Ikramul Haque Titu in Mymensingh City Corporation, Tahseen Bahar Shuchona in Comilla City Corporation, Zayeda Khatun in Gazipur City Corporation and Selina Hayat Ivy in Narayanganj City Corporation are in service.
Earlier on Sunday (August 18) 876 representatives were removed by the local government department. Among them there are 60 district council chairmen, 493 upazila chairmen and 323 municipal mayors. Administrators have been appointed in all 61 vacant Zilla Parishads.
On the other hand, a separate notification has been issued appointing 495 Upazila Nirbahi Officers (UNOs) to the post of Upazila Parishad administrators. Besides, 7 municipal administrators have been removed from their duties.
Bangladesh receives 13 thousand crore remittance in 17 days
Sheikh Hasina left the country after resigning from the post of Prime Minister on August 5 in the face of student uprising. Since then, the amount of remittances coming through legal channels has increased.
In continuation of this, 13 thousand 374 crores came in the first 17 days of August.
The updated information of Bangladesh Bank says that the remittance received till the first 3 days of this month is 9 crore 56 lakh 50 thousand dollars. And remittance received from August 4 to 10 is 38 crore 71 lakh 20 thousand dollars.
Bangladesh Bank also says that in the first 17 days of August, remittances have arrived through legal means of 114 crore 42 lakh 20 thousand dollars. In Bangladeshi currency (as per dollar 118 taka) which amounts to more than 13 thousand 374 crore taka.
At this time, 15 crore 29 lakh dollars came through the state-owned banks, about 3 crore 77 lakh dollars came through one of the 2 specialized banks (Krishi Bank). More than 94 crore 14 lakh dollars came through private banks and 2.15 million dollars came through foreign banks.
The total number of banks which did not receive any remittance during the discussed period is 10. These include Bangladesh Development Bank or BDBL, the specialized Rajshahi Krishi Unnayan Bank (RAKUB). Private Sector Community Bank, Citizen Bank, ICB Islami Bank, Padma Bank, Shimanto Bank. Foreign sector banks include Habib Bank, National Bank of Pakistan, State Bank of India and Woori Bank.
Incidentally, expatriates had announced to send money in hundi expressing no confidence in the recently departed Sheikh Hasina government. This suddenly reduces the speed of remittance. But after the fall of the government, that picture changed. Remittances are coming in a legitimate way.
Pentagon looking forward to work with Bangladesh's govt.
Pentagon, US Department of Defense spokesman Major General Pat Ryder said the United States has a defense relationship with Bangladesh and is looking forward to working with the interim government.
He said these in response to a journalist's question about the fall of the Awami League government and the assumption of power by the interim government at a press conference on Tuesday (August 20) local time.
Major General Pat Ryder said, 'The Pentagon looks forward to working with the interim government to advance issues such as a free and open Indo-Pacific, emphasizing the shared values and common interests of the two countries.'
He said, 'We must expect the Bangladesh government to protect human rights and avoid any violence. However, the US State Department should be contacted for details on US-Bangladesh relations.'
Fire breaks out in a building at Dhanmondi, 6 units under control
Fire breaks out in a building at Dhanmondi, 6 units are under control
A fire broke out on the eighth floor of a 12-storey residential building on road no. 5 of Dhanmondi this morning. Six fire service units are working to control the fire.
The fire started at 10:25 am on Wednesday (August 21). The duty officer of the fire service, Lima Khanam, confirmed the matter.
He said, 'At 10:25 in the morning, I received information about the fire on the eighth floor of the 12-storey building at Dhanmondi number five. After that, six units started working to control the fire.
However, initially, Lima Khanam could not give any information about the cause of the fire and the casualties. So far 3 trapped people have been rescued with
Farooq Ahmed assigned as new BCB President
Farooq Ahmed has become the new president of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
He was assigned to the BCB President post on Wednesday (August 21).
Former national cricket team captain Farooq Ahmed served as chief selector in BCB for two terms earlier.
Rumors in the sports arena for the last few days that Nazmul Hassan Papon is stepping down from the post of BCB president. And former Tiger captain Farooq Ahmed is going to replace him. That rumor came true on Wednesday with Papon's official resignation.
It should be noted that Farooq Ahmed served as the chief selector of BCB for two terms. He served in the first term from 2003 to 2007 and in the second term from 2013 to 2016. In the second term, he resigned due to a dispute with the board over the election process.
