Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said that the ongoing developments in the garment industry do not constitute a normal labour movement. Rather, he described them as planned political violence, conspiracy and anti-state activities aimed at destabilising the country by using ordinary workers.

He made the remarks while briefing journalists after an inter-ministerial meeting on reviewing the draft Cyber Security (Amendment) Act 2026 at the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday afternoon.

The Home Minister said garment workers currently have no unresolved demands, but a certain quarter is conspiring to create instability in the industrial sector.

He claimed that ordinary workers were not involved in the unrest and violence. Instead, some outsiders and non-workers were carrying out attacks, arson and destructive activities in the name of labour movements.

According to the minister, investigations have revealed the direct political agenda and involvement of several garment factory owners, former lawmakers, ministers and state ministers who were in office during the previous Awami League government.

He also alleged that mafia and reactionary forces were attempting to destabilise the country through conspiracies allegedly orchestrated from a neighbouring country. He said the government had directed the authorities to take strict action against such anti-state violence.

Salahuddin Ahmed said one of the main demands of garment workers was the formation of a wage board every three years to determine a new minimum wage. The government had initiated the process well in advance, but the formation of the board was slightly delayed due to the time taken by the workers’ side to nominate its representative.

He said the wage board was formed immediately after receiving the nominations and had already held its first meeting successfully.

The board, headed by an official holding the rank of a Senior District Judge, includes representatives of both employers and workers. It is working towards implementing a new wage structure from January 1, 2027, taking inflation, the economic situation and the cost of living into consideration, he added.

The Home Minister said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was strongly committed to workers’ welfare and the development of industry. The Prime Minister had given clear instructions to prioritise workers’ living standards and overall well-being.

He said the government’s main objectives were to increase exports, achieve economic prosperity and create new employment opportunities.

He further said the government had recently held lengthy and productive meetings with garment factory owners and detailed discussions with labour leaders. Both sides had agreed that such destructive activities were not ordinary workers’ movements but attempts to use workers as a shield to serve political interests.

Highlighting the role of law enforcement agencies in controlling the situation, the Home Minister said the government was dealing with the situation with utmost patience.

He said law enforcement agencies had been given clear and strict instructions not to use excessive force under any circumstances.

Despite many law enforcement personnel being seriously injured and receiving treatment in hospitals, they had demonstrated restraint and refrained from using force against workers, he said. However, he warned that no leniency would be shown to mafia groups and criminal networks.

Considering the overall situation, the minister urged ordinary workers not to be misled by provocations or rumours and to return to their respective workplaces immediately.

He said resuming work would keep industrial production running and protect workers’ employment as well as the national economy.

Responding to a question about the detention of journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, the Home Minister said that if he had been detained, necessary legal action was being taken on the basis of specific allegations against him. The matter would be examined in accordance with the law.

Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam and Foreign Affairs State Minister Shama Obaed Islam, among others, were present at the press briefing.