No Excessive Force Against Workers, Says Home Minister

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said law enforcement agencies have been instructed not to use excessive force while handling the ongoing labour unrest. He also urged workers to return to their workplaces.

He made the remarks while speaking to journalists on Wednesday (November 4), after a meeting at the Secretariat on reviewing the draft of the amended Cyber Security Act.

Asked about the ongoing protests by garment workers, the Home Minister said incidents occurring in different places needed to be clearly defined to determine whether they constituted labour protests, political agendas or acts of violence.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the government had taken steps to form a wage board ahead of the previously scheduled timeline to determine a new minimum wage in response to garment workers' demands. He explained that the formation of the board had been delayed because it took some time to receive the name of the workers' representative. The board was formed the day after the name was received, and its first meeting was held on Wednesday.

He said the wage board includes representatives of both employers and workers. The board chairman will hear the views of both sides. A reasonable minimum wage will be determined by considering previous wage increases over five-year periods, the current economic situation, the cost of living and employers' financial capacity.

The Home Minister added that the Prime Minister had instructed the authorities to consider improving workers' living standards when determining the new wage. The government's objectives, he said, include increasing exports, strengthening the economy and expanding employment opportunities.

However, the minister alleged that motives beyond workers' legitimate demands were behind the ongoing violence. He claimed that some individuals were creating unrest in the name of labour protests. He also referred to attacks on and arson involving law enforcement vehicles.

The Home Minister further claimed that the involvement of some industrialists who had previously served as Awami League members of parliament, ministers or state ministers had come to light in connection with such activities. He said the incidents might have political motives and raised concerns about possible conspiracies involving mafia groups, rival forces and even a neighbouring country. These were allegations made by the minister.

Salahuddin Ahmed said the government was ready to listen to any legitimate demands and that designated ministries and agencies were available to address them. He added that the government had held meetings with employers and labour leaders, some of whom, he claimed, did not consider the current violence to be part of the workers' movement.

The minister said the government was exercising restraint in managing the situation. Law enforcement agencies had been instructed to avoid using excessive force, he said. Several members of the forces had been seriously injured in attacks and were receiving hospital treatment. Despite this, he claimed, officers were making efforts to refrain from using force against workers as far as possible.

Urging workers to return to their workplaces, the Home Minister said protecting employment and keeping industrial production running were essential. The wage board had already begun its work, so there was no need for continued protests, he said. The board had been instructed to announce the new minimum wage ahead of schedule. The new wage is expected to take effect from January 1, and the minister said an earlier announcement would be welcome.

Asked about the reported detention of journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, Salahuddin Ahmed said he was unaware whether the journalist had been detained. If he had been detained, the minister said, the authorities would look into whether there were any specific allegations against him.