A Correspondent:
Savar: Production has resumed at garment factories across Savar and Ashulia industrial belt as workers returned to their workplaces yesterday, bringing an end to several days of disruption over wage demands.
The industrial belt, one of the country’s major garment manufacturing hubs, regained much of its usual bustle as workers joined factories in large numbers from the morning. Most factories reopened, and production activities resumed amid heightened security measures.
Though the situation remained largely peaceful, labor leaders urged the government to remain alert to prevent any third party from exploiting the workers’ movement for political gains.
During a visit to various industrial areas in Savar and Ashulia yesterday, this correspondent found that workers were returning to factories following days of demonstrations demanding higher wages. The resumption of production has eased concerns over prolonged disruptions to the country’s vital export-oriented garment sector.
According to Industrial Police-1, Savar, Ashulia and Dhamrai have a total of 1,705 industrial establishments, including garment factories. Most garment factories remained closed for the last two days amid the unrest. Operations resumed yesterday as workers returned to their jobs.
Workers welcomed the reopening of factories, saying they wanted their wage demands addressed through peaceful means rather than violence or prolonged work stoppages.
Labor leaders echoed the call for a peaceful resolution, warning that vested groups could attempt to use the movement to advance their political interests.
Khairul Mamun Mintu, legal affairs secretary of the Bangladesh Garment and Sweater Workers Trade Union Centre, told that the government’s decision to form a wage board to address workers’ demands was a commendable step.
He, however, cautioned that political groups or other vested interests might seek to exploit the situation and urged the relevant government agencies to remain vigilant.
At the factory level, management also reported a peaceful return to operations.
Mohammad Raihan, deputy general manager (Administration) of Al-Muslim Group, told that workers at their factory had resumed duties in a peaceful environment, with production continuing without disruption.
Meanwhile, Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salauddin Tuku, Dhaka Range Deputy Inspector General Md. Mostafizur Rahman, Dhaka district Deputy Commissioner Farida Khanam, Dhaka District Police Superintendent Shamima Pervin and, along with other senior officials, visited the industrial areas to assess the situation.
Dhaka Range DIG Md. Mostafizur Rahman warned that anyone resorting to violence under the guise of demonstrations would face legal action.
“No one involved in violence will be spared,” he said.
Superintendent of Industrial Police-1 Mohammad Mominul Islam Bhuiyan told that the overall situation across the industrial belt was normal, with workers returning to factories from the morning and production activities resuming.
With workers back on the factory floors and production underway, attention now turns to sustaining industrial stability while addressing workers’ wage demands through dialogue and peaceful negotiations.
