Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury has urged protesting readymade garment (RMG) workers to return to their factories following the official formation of a minimum wage board to address their demand for a Tk.30,000 monthly wage.
Speaking at a Secretariat press conference on Sunday amid ongoing clashes in Mirpur, the minister stated that the government is prioritizing workers' rights and long-standing demands. The newly formed six-member board includes representatives from both factory owners and labour bodies, including BGMEA Director ABM Shamsuddin and Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation General Secretary Babul Akhtar alongside independent member Prof. Mosleh Uddin Ahmed of Dhaka University.
Minister Ariful urged the board to convene immediately to finalize recommendations. However, he warned that political elements were attempting to instigate industrial instability despite the government's prompt action.
In a related development Dhaka Metropolitan Police Detective Branch (DB) arrested 11 activists affiliated with the banned Awami League, Jubo League and Chhatra League for allegedly infiltrating and sabotaging the workers' movement.
DB Mirpur Division Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Rakib Khan confirmed that the suspects also brought in from various districts outside Dhaka under the leadership of fugitive MP Ilias Molla’s nephew Alif Molla were involved in inciting clashes and arson during the Mirpur-10 blockades.
