Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine February Issue 2019 | Page 17

COVER STORY
amongst the agitating workers have
reportedly been operators and senior
operators (who have been drawing
wages under 3rd or 4th grade of the
previous wage structure) who feared
that due to previous increments and
performance incentives, the wage
hike would be as little as Taka 500 for
them. Many workers, especially those
in the upper bracket of the salary
structure, even feared losing jobs.
“Yes, there’s been some confusion
amongst the workers for sure…
Even in Government jobs, when
there is a hike in salary slab-wise,
those at the entry-level benefit more.
But that does not mean those up
in the hierarchy are not benefited
or they are being discriminated in
any such way. Initially there could
be some confusion, but it would
become clear once things are
implemented accordingly,” explained
Gazi Mahabubul Alam, Director
of Mahmud Group speaking to
Apparel Online, who did not rule
out some vested interests taking
advantage of this prevailing confusion
to foment workers’ unrest. An astute
businessman, Alam resorted to
counselling the workers in batches by
the senior management to dispel all
fears and clear any confusion if there
be. Further, he also ensured that each
worker got something extra (more
than the stipulated salary) so as to
make up for any disparity till things
got sorted out.
Agreeing with Alam on the
involvement of vested interests in the
workers’ unrest, A. H. Aslam Sunny,
Managing Director, Crony Group
maintained that until and unless such
forces are prevented from interfering
with the apparel sector of the country,
it would be very difficult to avert
workers’ unrest.
“Even if there’s any issue, the
workers and the factory owners
should mutually discuss and find a
solution. Such forces hardly have any
interest in this sector besides their
selfish goals to further. Trade union
is amongst the fundamental right
of the workers, but some so-called
labour leaders who are not involved
with this industry should be
Agitating workers on the street
prevented from meddling into our
affairs. In the last few years, majority
of the worker-related issues and
unrest have been outcome of such
reasons,” said Sunny.
The workers’ agitation has been a
big setback for the industry for sure.
However, the country and its image in
the global arena also had to take a hit
as well because of this, feel many.
“The economy of the whole nation
revolves around the RMG sector,
banking, employment and people’s
livelihood… This is really a very
unfortunate incident to say the
least…,” maintained Imrul Anwar
Liton (Managing Director of
Lyric Group, MD of Kojima Lyric
Garments Ltd. and President of
Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of
Commerce and Industry), while
lamenting the falling standards
of trade unions, which according
to him has not been a worry for
Md Siddiqur Rahman, President, BGMEA
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