Global apparel brands may choose a neighbouring country if labour unrest in BD goes on

Rakibul Alam Chowdhury, former Vice President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), has recently stated that labour unrest has affected multiple factories in Chattogram in recent weeks. He expressed concern over attempts to incite chaos under the pretext of unjustified demands, highlighting the challenges faced even by high-compliance factories like Pacific Group.

Chowdhury indicated that discussions have already taken place to resolve the issues at Pacific Casuals, and there is hope for a swift reopening of the factory. Chattogram is a significant hub for the country’s garment production, hosting over 500 factories that employ hundreds of thousands of workers. While unrest was previously observed in garment-rich areas such as Ashulia and Gazipur following a political shift in the country on 5th August, Chattogram remained unaffected until now. However, with some speculating potential attempts to incite unrest in the region, factory owners are on high alert.

Industry insiders have pointed out a leadership vacuum in the garment sector, stemming from the current operation of BGMEA under an administrator, which lacks representation from business owners. This has left factory owners to grapple with labour issues independently, often finding the situations escalating beyond their control. Labour unrest in both Dhaka and Chittagong should be tackled without delay.

It has been meanwhile reported by international media agencies that a broad number of global apparel brands are seriously thinking about moving to India since restless circumstances among the Bangladeshi readymade garments workers are not showing any sign to subside shortly. The law and order situation across Bangladesh has been very much jittery since August 2024 which needs to be rectified quickly. Foreign investors won’t be interested to launch their business enterprises in Bangladesh if law and order situation does not improve rapidly. The interim government has kicked off Operation Devil Hunt to subdue criminal activities all over Bangladesh. It’s certainly a very good and appreciable move but it is vital to note that the raids by law and order forces should be neutral and uncompromising.

The whole world has witnessed the violence that broke out in various parts of Bangladesh after fascist Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted on 5 August 2024 who escaped to India on the same date. In the wake of this abrupt regime change in the face of a spontaneous countrywide Anti-Discriminatory Students’ Movement which included protesters from all walks of life, attacks were carried out on the households and offices of the overthrown ruling party Awami League.

Bangladesh is in dire need for coming out of the country’s longstanding vindictive political exercise.