A coalition of union leaders from the garment sector has urged the Bangladeshi government to establish an emergency fund aimed at providing financial assistance to laid-off workers, many of whom are currently facing economic hardships. The call came during a meeting with members of the Labour Reform Commission at the Department of Labour in Dhaka.
The leaders highlighted the case of over 40,000 workers from 16 textile and garment factories under the Beximco Group, who have recently been terminated. They attributed the layoffs to the company’s struggles to pay its workforce following the arrest of its vice chairman, Salman F Rahman, and cited a decline in international work orders as a primary reason for the dismissals.
The union representatives noted that the uncertainty surrounding service benefits increases when workers are laid off under such circumstances. They advocated for a joint funding initiative between the government and factory owners to secure these benefits for affected workers.
Syed Sultan Uddin Ahmed, chairman of the Labour Reform Commission, stated that the commission has conducted 12 meetings with various stakeholders and plans to hold a total of 60 meetings across different sectors to gather recommendations for the legal protection of workers and the establishment of a national minimum wage.
During the meeting, union leaders expressed concerns regarding the central fund established in 2016 for garment workers’ welfare, noting that many workers are not receiving adequate support from it. They also called for improved working conditions and the introduction of a rationing system for workers.
Ahmed emphasised that closing factories is not a viable solution and urged the government to provide assistance to help operational factories remain open. He warned that some factory owners may resort to layoffs to qualify for bank loan waivers and called for scrutiny to determine whether these actions are justified.
Montu Ghosh, president of the Garments Workers’ Trade Union Centre, proposed stronger provisions in the labour law to ensure timely payments and job security for workers involved in trade union activities. Kazi Md Ruhul Amin, general secretary of the Bangladesh Trade Union Centre, recommended enhancing workplace safety, improving industrial relations, and updating labour laws to align with global standards.
The commission’s tenure is set to conclude in mid-February next year, prompting an urgent call for reform and support for the garment workforce in light of the current economic challenges.
