RMG sector to have TU
November 2, 2009
meeting of ministers, garment factory owners, garment workers and union leaders yesterday decided to introduce trade unionism in the garment industry.
The meeting held at the labour and manpower ministry formed a 12-member committee to recommend ways to introduce trade unionism in the sector.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, meanwhile, expressed bitter disappointment at police firing on garment workers’ demonstration that left three people dead. The PM said she could not understand why the law enforcers had to open fire on the demonstrators.
Even if it had been necessary to open fire, they could have fired blank shots or shot in the leg, Hasina was quoted as saying by an official of the Prime Minister’s Office.
He said the prime minister expressed her deep shock over the deaths of three workers and expressed sympathy to the bereaved family members.
The government yesterday formed a five-member enquiry committee headed by Labour Secretary Ataharul Islam to find out the reasons behind Saturday’s violent clashes in Nippon Garments Factory in Tongi and identify the persons responsible for the incident.
The committee, formed at a tripartite meeting between the government, garment owners and workers, was asked to submit its report in two weeks. The meeting was convened at the home ministry against the backdrop of the latest violence in the apparel industry.
Home Minister Sahara Khatun, who chaired the meeting, said the culprits–be they godfathers, owners or labourers–must have to face trial. “Nobody will be spared,” she told reporters after the meeting.
The factory was laid off improperly, she said, adding that the committee will also look into the matter.
The committee is comprised of representatives from home ministry, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) and workers.
Sahara said police were compelled to fire gunshots in the face of brickbats throwing by the agitating workers. She warned that she came to know that similar violence might take place in Ashulia area.
Asked how many persons were implicated in the case filed in connection with the violence, the inspector general of police said the number would be determined during the investigation.
Leaders of BGMEA, BKMEA, director general of Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) and representatives of workers were present at the meeting.
TRADE UNION
The 12-member committee, which will prepare recommendations for ways to introduce trade unionism in the garment sector, will be headed by Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on labour and manpower ministry Israfil Alam. It will have five representatives each from union leaders and workers and one official of the labour and manpower ministry.
Names of these representatives will be given to the government in next three days.
“The committee will come up with necessary recommendations on how trade union can be introduced in the garment industries of the country,” said Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Chairman of parliamentary standing committee on labour and employment Israfil Alam, leaders of BGMEA, BKMEA and Sramik Oikya Parishad and Jatiya Sramik League attended the meeting held at the labour and employment ministry.
Shajahan Khan, also former trade union leader, said the committee will be constituted to study how effectively trade union can be introduced in the garment industry.
He said the problems faced by owners and workers of the garment industry can be resolved amicably if the trade union could be introduced.
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