Calls to Reopen All Garments to Safeguard Economy

The interim government led by Nobel Prize-winning economist Dr. Muhammad Yunus is facing a significant challenge due to ongoing labor unrest in various industries, including the ready-made garment sector.

Workers, frustrated by issues such as wages and benefits, have been staging daily protests, halting production as they take to the streets. In key industrial zones like Ashulia in Savar and Gazipur, hundreds of factories shut down regularly, with some reports even indicating instances of vandalism in certain factories.

219 factories have been reported to be closed in Ashulia today, Thursday (September 12).

In this situation, to protect the country's economy, the workers, owners, and the government have called for the quick opening of the closed garment factories. Hafizur Rahman, the administrator of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the top organization of businessmen, made this call.

On Thursday (September 12), he joined as administrator of the organization at Capital's Motijheel Chamber building and made this call.

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Hafizur Rahman said many garment factories are closed due to worker dissatisfaction. To sustain the country's economy, these closed garment factories must be opened quickly. A joint initiative of workers, employers, and government is required in this regard.

At that time, the businessmen complained to the newly appointed administrator that government agents were always appointed to the FBCCI board. They took advantage. There are about 2,000 members in the General Assembly and 400 members in the Chamber Group. General Board members did not see their pros and cons. Big traders used to get various benefits, while small traders were deprived.

The businessmen demanded reforms in all discriminatory matters including the cancellation of the auto director system, demanding the election of the president and directors by direct vote of the general assembly.

In response, the administrator expressed his commitment to hand over the responsibility of FBCCI to the elected representatives through fair and acceptable voting within the stipulated time. He said, "Businessmen are the life of the country's economy. I will try to organize the election within the stipulated time. For this, we want everyone's cooperation, so that we can quickly hand over the responsibility to the elected representatives."

Meanwhile, among 219 factories closed in Savar's Ashulia industrial zone, 86 factories have remained closed indefinitely due to labor unrest and unstable situation. However, on Wednesday (September 11), after the call of various local political parties and BGMEA leaders, it was decided that all factories would be opened.

Experts say that nearly 4 million workers are directly engaged in the country's garment industry. At least two crore people are indirectly benefited. If this industry is in danger, a large population will be in danger, and the country's economy will be extremely damaged.