AAFA urges Government to end detention of RMG workers

Bangladesh has been requested by the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) to release the labour movement participants who were detained last year for demanding an increase in the minimum wage.

In separate letters to Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and to Faruque Hassan, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Stephen Lamar, president and CEO of the largest trade association in the US shoe and garment sectors, made the demands.

Thousands of workers protested in the streets in December, demanding a minimum salary between Taka 23,000 and Taka 25,000, before the minimum wage was increased to Taka 12,500.

Lamar said he is repeatedly calling to end the ongoing detention, and the continued threat of detention, of thousands of workers related to the protests over the minimum wage.

Previously, he also urged the BGMEA to request that the Bangladesh Government investigate and hold accountable, those responsible for the violence that led to the deaths and injuries of workers during the protests, stated the letters dated 18th March.

“However, it is with deep concern that I must urge BGMEA to join our calls for the Bangladesh Government to release all those arrested during the protests over the minimum wage and to withdraw all criminal charges against those arrested,” Lamar stated.

“We are concerned over criminal charges brought against labour organisers, such as Jewel Miya, who was arrested for advocating for higher wages.”

To remove any more threats of arrest against thousands of workers and stop future worker harassment, the head of the AAFA demanded the BGMEA and its members to withdraw all first information reports made against the workers.

Lamar is optimistic that the sector and the BGMEA will keep making big progress to guarantee worker welfare.

“In turn, these efforts will only strengthen and grow our mutually beneficial partnership.”

Hassan from BGMEA stated that he was aware of the letter.

To take action, the business leader stated that he has asked for the names of the employees who have been the subject of allegations of incarceration and threats of incarceration.

“This is because most of the police cases filed against the workers for their alleged involvement in wage protests have already been withdrawn,” he stated.

“And many of the cases are not being pursued anymore by the factory owners as normalcy has been restored and the new wage structure has been implemented.”

According to Hassan, the BGMEA members have already been told not to consider little instances.