The BGMEA has decided to keep all garment factories open starting Thursday after the army and other security forces announced a joint operation. The decision was made after a meeting held at the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association complex in Uttara.
The meeting was attended by the current and former BGMEA presidents, factory owners, representatives of the army, Industrial Police, intelligence agencies, and other stakeholders.
Earlier, six representatives from the apparel sector as well as senior military and Industrial Police officers sat with Home Advisor Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury.
Later, BGMEA President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, said, “We had a meeting with members of law-enforcing agencies.
“We have decided to keep the factories open after receiving assurances that there will be no disorder. The army, police, and Industrial Police are planning in their own way to control the situation. We will cooperate with them,” he added.
BGMEA Vice President Abdullah Hil Rakib said, “We will provide them with information, camera footage, and other assistance for the joint operation.”
He also said those attacking the factories are outsiders.
Rafiqul Islam added, “The workers making demands are not ‘real workers.’ We have also spoken to the labour unions. Those attacking are people who have been laid off or dismissed due to various irregularities, and some are street children.”
Regarding the police’s actions to control the situation, he said, “The Industrial Police are still traumatised after the student protests. They lack moral support. Still, they are doing some work. We have no choice but to rely on them now.”
At the meeting, the workers’ organisations were asked to announce an end to the protests.
The BGMEA chief said, “An announcement will be made either Wednesday night or Thursday morning.”
