The New Nation - Internet Edition

THE problem of management of some garment factories has been reviewed at a recent meeting of the Ministry of Commerce. The major problem is related to the failure of many factories to pay the minimum wages of workers. Another facet of the problem is keeping the workers without formal appointment letters, containing terms and conditions of employment. Workers reportedly remain temporarily employed for about ninety days after which they are terminated. The move allegedly is to avoid the payment of different benefits. As a result, workers of different factories opt for agitation against some employers and management personnel.

Law-enforcing agencies often cannot cope with agitation of workers. The demands of the workers are ineptly handled by a section of employers. Stoppage of work by workers allegedly for non-payment of officially fixed minimum wages and benefits is frequent in certain garment factories. The foreign buyers of garment thus sometimes do not get supplies against their orders on time and this creates a bad image of our garment sector abroad.

The Adviser for Commerce has reportedly said that the government will set up mobile courts to contain work stoppages. The authorities will create a participatory committee representing official agencies, employers and trade unions for the purpose. The government has also decided to file cases against those owners of factories who do not comply with the law related to minimum wages. The image of the profitable sector should be protected and its continued growth ensured by all means. Garment manufacturers complain that some foreign elements instigate trouble in their factories taking advantage of the prevailing problems that must be removed.