Business leaders meet chief adviser, request ensuring safety of industries

Business leaders today urged Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr Yunus, to take necessary steps to ensure the security of industrial establishments following the shutdown of hundreds of factories amid labour protests. 

A six-member delegation of business leaders made the request during a meeting with the chief adviser at the State Guest House Jamuna.

Speaking to journalists after the meeting, Mahbubur Rahman, president of the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh (ICCB), said the chief adviser has assured that the government will take necessary steps to ensure the safety of industries.

The business leaders brought attention to the recent incidents of fire and vandalism in various industrial establishments during the meeting. 

Speaking to the Bangla daily Prothom Alo, delegation member and managing director of Square Pharmaceuticals Tapan Chowdhury said, "Recently, some kind of unrest has been going on in the country's industries. Starting from the pharmaceutical industry, this unrest has reached the textile and garment factories. We have raised the issues with the chief adviser. He has assured us of taking action in this regard."

Tapan Chowdhury also said everyone wants a change, but what was happening now wasn't desirable.  

Meeting sources told Prothom Alo that business leaders also said they would resolve workers' demands through discussions, but the issue of "outsiders" instigating and taking part in the protests was also discussed.

Business leaders also said the continuation of such a situation would force lay-offs, which would only complicate matters further.

The six-member business delegation also included former presidents of FBCCI AK Azad and Mir Nasir Hossain and BGMEA President Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, among others. 

According to BGMEA sources, around 45 factories in Gazipur and 59 in Savar and Ashulia were forced to shut down due to protests demanding jobs and other benefits. The protesters blocked roads, vandalised three factories, and looted at least two others.

Factory owners, industrial police, and trade union leaders said the outsiders first gathered in front of several factories, demanding employment. When they were told there were no vacancies, they resorted to vandalism and threw stones and bricks at the factories. 

RMG workers from various factories joined the protests later.

A joint team of police and army was deployed to bring the situation under control.