Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury has alleged that several political organisations are instigating the ongoing unrest among garment workers over the formation of a wage board. He said the incidents were being orchestrated to create instability in the country. However, he expressed hope that such situations would no longer occur following the announcement of the formation of the wage board.

The minister made the remarks at a press conference held at the Ministry of Labour and Employment at the Secretariat on Sunday (November 1), announcing the formation of the wage board.

Referring to Saturday’s incidents, Ariful Haque Chowdhury said those responsible were not garment workers. “A group of 15 to 20 people went and created an incident,” he said.

He added that representatives and leaders of different garment workers’ federations had already held meetings with the government. They had also urged workers through the media to remain at their factories, as the government was scheduled to announce the formation of the wage board on Sunday.

The minister said the government had informed workers through the media about the planned announcement following discussions with their representatives. However, some factories concerned had unnecessarily declared holidays on Sunday. After sending workers home, they were reportedly being told that the wage board had not yet been announced.

“I believe several political organisations are deliberately orchestrating these incidents to create instability in the country,” he said, expressing hope that workers and the general public would understand the situation.

Asked whether there was a conspiracy behind the incidents, the minister said certain groups might try to exploit an issue to serve their own interests. He urged everyone to remain alert, adding that such attempts would not succeed if the public, workers and journalists remained vigilant.

Asked whether the government would take a tougher stance following Sunday’s incidents, he said, “I believe such situations will no longer continue following today’s announcement of the formation of the wage board, Insha’Allah.”