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Wednesday, 23 August, 2006, CIRDAP auditorium
 

The garment workers' leaders at a discussion (23 August 2006) warned of a repetition of the outburst of workers' anger any time if the minimum wage for the sector is not declared immediately. They reiterated their earlier demand for fixing Tk 3,000 as the minimum wage while the garment owners declined to accept the demand saying that it would bring disaster in the sector, leading to closing down of almost 75 per cent factories within six months. Accusing the garment owners of 'killing time' to avoid the minimum wage issue, the workers' leaders said although the owners committed to implement the other clauses of the tripartite agreement within one month, 90 per cent issues still remain unresolved.

As per the agreement signed on June 12, the cases against the leaders of garment workers were to be withdrawn but it has not been done, they said, adding that owners have continued torture and harassment on them. The garments owners, on the other hand, said they are ready to implement the tripartite agreement but more time is needed for a viable solution. They warned of a disaster in the sector if any 'unilateral decision' is imposed on them.

Independent think tank Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) organised the discussion on 'Fixing minimum wage in the garment sector and working atmosphere' at CIRDAP auditorium. CPD Executive Director Debapriya Bhattacharya moderated the discussion. Khondoker Golam Moazzem and Fahmida Khatun jointly presented a research paper on the subject. "If Tk 3,000 is fixed as the minimum basic salary, 75 per cent garment factories will be closed within six months," said Annisul Huq, former president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and a member of the wage board that the government formed to settle the issue of garment workers' minimum wage. The capacity of the garment owners declined significantly over the years with the massive fall in cutting and making (CM) charge from the buyers, he said. The workers should consider the capacity of the owners and the minimum wage should be fixed considering all the aspects in over four thousand garment factories in the country, he said.

There is no lack of sincerity among the owners for implementing the tripartite agreement, BGMEA President Fazlul Haque said, adding, "But we need some more time for a viable solution." "The sector would not survive if any new formula is imposed on us without considering the overall aspects in the sector," said Fazlul Haque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA). Talking on the matter of workers' hardship due to price hike of essentials, the BKMEA president suggested that the government start rationing system for the poorer section of the people.

"If the anger of the workers burst out again, the owners would be responsible for that," Dr Wajedul Islam, a leader of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad said, adding that although the owners committed to implement 9 of the 10 clauses under tripartite agreement within one month, they are yet to be implemented even after two months. He said the garment owners, who were very anxious during the workers' movement, changed immediately after signing the agreement with the workers.

"The workers' anger can lead to a total anarchy any time. We should not let the owners keep the agreement unimplemented after two months of signing the agreement," said Shafiqur Rahman Mojumder, president of Jatiya Sramik Federation.

Insisting on implementation of Tk 3,000 as the minimum wage, workers' leader China Rahman said workers are very conscious now and they would take to the street again if their demands are not met.

Montoo Ghosh, another workers' leader, said the owners continued torture and harassment on the workers and many cases against workers' leaders are yet to be withdrawn.
Shafiuddin Ahmed demanded fixing the minimum wage considering the price of rice in the country.

Participating in the discussion, Shah Mohammad Abu Zafar, a ruling BNP MP, suggested that the CPD take an initiative to negotiate with all concerned and bring out a solution. He said the garment owners should change the attitude of earning exorbitant profit. Criticising the government for indecision in bringing discipline in the garment sector, workers' leader Shajahan Khan MP said the owners should increase the salary of the workers and should get some extra facilities from the government.

CPD Executive Director Debapriya Bhattacharya said the civil society would provide all out cooperation to the workers and owners for negotiating with the government for bringing out a viable solution in the garment sector. The country may not harness the expected economic benefit if any disaster comes in the garment sector, he said.