Kazi Zahidul Hasan :
Terming the sudden labour unrest in Ashulia garment industrial zone a ‘local and international conspiracy,’ State Minister for Labour and Employment Mujibul Haque Chunnu on Saturday said the authorities concerned have already started investigation to find out the conspirators behind the unrest.
“The labour movement in Ashulia is nothing but a ‘conspiracy’ because it was started without notifying the concerned authorities,” he told The New Nation on Saturday night in a telephonic interview.
“Even if I am the relevant Minister, none of the trade union leader came to me with a formal demand of wage hike for apparel workers in Ashulia factories,” he added.
He added: “At least 500 registered trade unions are working to establish rights of the apparel workers. But no leader of these trade unions came to me to raise the demand”.
The State Minister further said it is an ‘illogical movement’ and so the government is smelling conspiracy behind it. “Local and foreign hands might be involved in the conspiracy,” he added.
Citing the legal provisions behind any wage hike wage movement, Chunnu said the protesters have started it violating rules and procedures. The existing wages structure came to force in 2013 last. They cannot demand a new wage structure within three years,” he claimed.
As per Labour Law, the government will review workers’ wages after five years.
He also said that the readymade garment factory owners have the rights to ‘lay off’ their factories without any notice.
When asked, Chunnu claimed that his Ministry is actively working along with other stakeholders of the sector to resolve the Ashulia labour unrest.
“We have already formed five probe bodies to investigate into the sudden labour unrest in Ashulia. The probe bodies have been asked to submit their reports within shortest possible time,” he said, adding, “Besides, we are in touch with the factory owners and labour leaders so that current deadlock in Ashilia factories can be solved as soon as possible”.
Justifying the ongoing crackdown on labour right activists and labour leaders by law enforcing agencies, Chunnu said, “They are doing so to maintain law and order in the industrial zone and industrial harmony. On top of this, several security agencies are working there to watch activities of labour leaders and other elements.
“They have already arrested some people from Ashulia for their alleged involvement in the instigation of the workers for creating unrest in garment industry,” he added.
A total of 11 cases were filed with Ashulia Police Station over the labour unrest. Eleven people have shown arrested in these cases, police sources said.
The State Minister also urged the protesters to return to work postponing their movement.
