Image is used for representative purpose only. Photo courtesy: The Hindu
Bangladesh’s vital garment industry suffered a $400 million loss due to unrest following the student-led revolution that ousted the country’s autocratic prime minister, industry leaders said Sunday, stressing that the situation is now “stable.” ” Is.
The South Asian country’s 3,500 garment factories account for about 85% of its $55 billion annual exports, but the unrest caused significant disruption to the lynchpin industry.
After months of deadly protests, Former leader Sheikh Hasina fled to India by helicopter On 5th August.
An interim government led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus took power, but protests continued at a series of textile factories with workers demanding jobs and better pay.
Such demonstrations sometimes turn into violence. On 30 September, clashes between protesters and police left one garment worker dead and 20 injured.
Kalpana Akhtar, president of Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, said on Sunday that there should be a “dramatic change in attitude” of factory owners and the government.
“Discussions about salary increases happen only when workers take to the streets,” Akhtar told AFP.
He said changes were needed “to ensure stability in the region”, warning that “otherwise, calm will not be sustained.”
Bangladesh is the world’s second largest textile exporter by value after China and supplies many of the world’s top brands including Levi’s, Zara and H&M.
Khandakar Rafiqul Islam, president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that “the industry is currently stable after going through a challenging period”.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Islam estimated total losses at about $400 million since August and said security forces needed to continue protecting the industry.
“The army has formed a task force to protect the factories, and they are conducting regular patrols to ensure security at the textile centres,” Islam said.
“Buyers have regained confidence in Bangladeshi apparel, but uninterrupted law and order is necessary to maintain stability.”
published – October 21, 2024 12:27 PM IST