Roundtable points to communication gap for RMG labour unrest
April 13, 2010
A roundtable in Dhaka yesterday pointed to inadequate communications among owners, workers and trade unionists as a major reason for the recurrent labour unrest in the readymade garment (RMG) sector, Bangladesh’s prime foreign exchange earner. The workers misunderstand the owners as mid-level management sometimes fails to make them understand properly, the speakers observed.
Lift Standards, a Germany-based social compliance advisory firm, organised the discussion on ‘communication and cooperation among stakeholders in times of unrest’ at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel where lawmakers and international buyers spoke among others.
Economist Dr Quazi Kholiquz-zaman Ahmad urged all stakeholders to keep themselves away from a ‘blame game’ so far RMG labour unrest is concerned. “The issues that led to labour unrest have been identified, now it needs special care from all sides to resolve this problem, ” Ahmad suggested.
Pointing his finger at trade unionism, he said, “Formation of trade unions in the industrial sector is a constitutional right of the workers and their representatives. The owners should allow such rights in the RMG sector. But, we must ensure that trade union leaders run those properly.”
Lutful Hai, chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Commerce, hoped that there will be no labour unrest in the RMG sector soon after the establishment of trade unions at all the garment factories.
“It’s true that sometimes some unofficial forces provoke workers to create unrest,” the lawmaker said.
“The rules for formation of bargaining agents at the garment factories are violated,” observed Israfil Alam, the chief of parliamentary standing committee on the labour and employment ministry.
Lawmaker Sarah Kabori suggested owners arrange open dialogues with the workers on a regular basis in the interest of a better understanding between the two sides.
“The owners should consider the workers as part of their factories,” the actor-turned-politician said, pointing to the communication gap as the main for RMG labour unrest.
While sharing her experience of such unrest, Kabori said owners seek help from the local influential people and government agencies after the occurrence of any such incident, but they can resolve any dispute through discussion among the stakeholders.
Shahidullah Azim, a director of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, spelt out his bitter experience of trade unions in the RMG sector.
“So far I know, some 150 garment factories where trade unions were active have been announced closed now,” he said.
The machinery and apparels worth Tk 2 billion in a composite garment factory of Islam Group have been damaged recently.
“We feel proud of Islam Group, as it is one of the highly compliant factories, which received Wal-Mart award for six consecutive times,” Azim said.
He said sometimes so-called labour leaders create problems in the factories instead of resolving the issues in a proper manner.
Maren Boehm, manager, CR-Buying Markets of Otto Group of Germany, said social compliance in Bangladesh is not strong. “Still the labour unrest and fire incidents are taking place in the factories due to problems in management and cooperation,” Boehm said.
Dr Wajed Ali Khan, coordinator of the Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad, also spoke on the occasion.
Source: http://www.thedailystar.net
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