The Ready Made Garment (RMG) sector, the cornerstone of Bangladesh’s economy, is currently grappling with a severe crisis. Ongoing labour unrest, despite the factory owners meeting the workers’ demand, have disrupted operation in some main industrial areas such as Ashulia, Savar and Gazipur. The unrest, driven by demands for wage increase and improved working conditions, has forced many factories to shut down. The persistent instability threatens the garment sector and the country’s overall economic well-being.
In a press conference on Monday, Senior Vice President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Abdullah Hil Rakib, underscored the need for enhanced security measures. The factory owners have been calling on the government to strengthen security in industrial zones, as many factories are not able to operate due to vandalism and unrest. Without immediate intervention, the RMG sector, which employs millions and significantly contributes to the national GDP, is at high risk of further worsening.
The labour unrest has increased despite the fulfillment of the workers’ 18-point demand, such as wage adjustment and improvement in working conditions. While the step was meant to stabilise the situation, the sector continues to be plagued by protest and road blockade. Workers have taken to the streets, demanding further wage hikes, timely payment and a safer working environment. However, these protests have frequently led to violent clashes, with a worker on Monday losing his life and several others injured during confrontation with law enforcement agency’s members in Ashulia.
Bangladesh may protect its garment
industry from further clashes by
implementing the ILO’s recommendation
and improving security measures.
This tragic incident highlights the situation’s precarious nature, as tension between workers and employers continues to intensify. The use of law enforcement agency’s power has only exacerbated the unrest, leading to a further breakdown in relation between the involved parties. The government and RMG owners must act rapidly to prevent the situation from escalating further out of control.
In response to the ongoing crisis, the International Labour Organisation (ILO) has called for urgent reform in the wage structure and labour laws in the RMG sector. The ILO has emphasised the importance of addressing systemic issues that have contributed to the ongoing unrest. Their recommendations such as the development of an evidence-based wage policy, sectoral wage boards can strengthen cooperative bargaining mechanism. The reform is essential for achieving long-term stability and preventing future clashes between workers and employers.
The ILO’s emphasis on wage reform is particularly relevant given that wage grievances have been a primary driver of the unrest. The current minimum wage mechanism is seen as outdated and not sufficient. The ILO has called for a more comprehensive approach to wage-setting that involves workers and employers. Forming sectoral wage boards would provide a formal platform for negotiating wage, preventing the need for disruptive protests and strikes.
The ILO has also urged Bangladesh to adopt Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) standards by ratifying key international conventions. A national OSH system would promote a safety culture across industries, reducing workplace coincident and improving overall working conditions. Such reform is crucial for protecting workers and for creating a stable and productive workforce.
The RMG sector’s current unrest represents a serious threat to the national economic stability. The garment industry, which accounts for a significant portion of the country’s exports and employment, cannot afford prolonged disruption. It is important that the government, factory owners and workers engage in constructive dialogue to resolve the ongoing clashes.
Bangladesh may protect its garment industry from further clashes by implementing the ILO’s recommendation and improving security measures. Peaceful industrial relations are not only essential for the sector’s survival but also for the broader economic and the country’s social well-being. Only through cooperative effort and step may the country safeguard its position as a global leader in garment manufacturing and ensure a prosperous future for its workforce.
