The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

The government knew the masterminds of the trouble in the garments sector but it was shy of taking action against them, BGMEA president Anwar-Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez told a press conference yesterday.

"The security agencies of the government know well the miscreants who have spread anarchy in some factories for the last couple of days. But it is unfortunate and mysterious as well why action is not taken against the evil forces," he said.

The BGMEA president alleged that some trade unions and so-called NGOs tried to foment the trouble by instigating the innocent workers by making controversial statements.

Parvez declined to identify the labour unions and NGOs involved in creating the trouble. He also blamed a section of police officials and private Radio Today for Tuesday's turmoil in some garments factories at Ashulia. "None was killed in road accident but police and Radio Today dished out information of death of a worker igniting the trouble … We hope, in future they will be careful."

BGMEA president suggested immediate formation of 'Industrial Police' for protection of the country's garment factories, which existed during the Pakistan days. "We want security of our lives and factories."

He said the garment factories were set up in cluster format and deployment of industrial police is essential for their safety.

Parvez informed that more than 200 garment factories have been shut down for lack of electricity, gas and high interest rate of bank loans that rendered them sick.

The factories cannot operate more than 10-12 hours due to social compliance. On top of that 5 to 6 working hours are lost for load shedding. Recently some factories were forcibly shut down by a group of terrorists. But they were not yet brought to book, alleged Parvez.

"On June 1, at Kalurghat in Chittagong, a group of terrorists ransacked three factories and compelled the owners to suspend operation. At Ashulia 50 factories were ransacked by unruly people following a rumor," said BGMEA president and questioned why the government failed to provide adequate security in those areas.

He has threatened to close down the garment factories if the government fails to protect them.