RMG workers in fresh protest, now for 20% annual increment

RMG workers have launched a new wave of protests, demanding an annual increment of up to 20%, just days after the 9% was agreed upon in a tripartite meeting involving labour leaders, entrepreneurs, and government representatives.

Workers from 25 garment factories in Ashulia on the outskirts of the capital either stopped operations or walked out today (11 December), according to BGMEA.

On Monday, the government announced an additional 4% increase to the regular annual increment of 5%. As a result, workers are set to receive a 9% salary increase with their December wages, to be disbursed next month.

Speaking to The Business Standard, industry insiders and labour leaders highlighted that worker federations lack effective control over labour representatives in the Ashulia zone. 

They also pointed out that certain leaders appear to be politically motivated, leveraging the current law-and-order situation to further their own agendas.

Labour and Employment Adviser M Sakhawat Hossain has said the ongoing industrial unrest, particularly in the RMG sector, has been instigated by members of the ousted Awami League government and their foreign allies.

"The workers are not causing the problems; they are being used to create them. We must remain vigilant against foreign forces that are inciting unrest in the RMG sector," he said at an event in Dhaka today.

Situation in Ashulia

According to the Industrial Police, workers from 25 factories were not causing chaos but have stopped work, with some leaving due to dissatisfaction over the increment.

Industry sources reported that employees from Ha-Meem Group, Sharmin Group, Medlar, Next Collection, Al Muslim, Setara Group, and others have ceased work despite arriving at their factories in the morning.

One source revealed that the protests have forced factories such as Nasa and Trouser Line to close under Section 13(1) of the Labour Act.

Meanwhile, Bando Design declared a general holiday, and workers from Ha-Meem and Knit Asia have already left their premises. Employees at New Age, Deco, Al Muslim, Ethical, and other factories are sitting on the floors and refraining from work.

A worker from Knit Asia told TBS, "For the past three days, there has been unrest in our factory. The workers are refusing to work and joining others in demanding a 15% increment."

Similarly, a Deco Group worker shared, "As workers refused to work, the management declared a holiday early in the day."

Sadhan Kumar, general manager of The Rose Dresses Limited, said, "Our workers showed up today but refused to work today. While they resumed work after discussions, the closure of surrounding factories forced us to shut down operations."

Today, production was already halted in at least 10 factories due to the protests.

What federation leader says 

Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation General Secretary Babul Akhter told TBS that the decision was made after five meetings, with government intervention.  

When asked why workers continue to protest despite the recent wage hike, Babul Akhter explained, "The reality is that a significant number of workers in the Ashulia industrial belt are affiliated with local political parties. These groups often act under the influence of their political leaders, and sometimes they disregard the directives of their federation leaders."  

He further explained that some political leaders are retreating due to shifts in political power following the student movement.  

Akhter also noted that workers are aware they are unlikely to face retaliation from the interim government, which has emboldened them to continue their protests without fear of immediate consequences.