Staff Correspondent

 Dhaka Deputy   Commissioner Farida Khanom has assured that the government is working sincerely to secure fair wages and fulfill the logical demands of readymade garment workers, while urging laborers not to fall prey to rumors, provocative propaganda, or vested interests.

Addressing a special meeting on ongoing labor unrest and the general law-and-order situation at the Savar Upazila Parishad auditorium on Monday evening, the Deputy  Commissioner emphasized the need for vigilance to prevent any group from damaging national industrial units and the economy by exploiting workers.

She  stated that the government is considering workers' demands—including fixing the minimum wage at Tk 30,000—with utmost seriousness. She informed attendees that a six-member Wage Board, comprising representatives from factory owners, workers, and an independent member, has already been constituted. The board will determine a rational wage structure considering all stakeholders' input, the industry's financial capacity, and workers' cost of living, with positive decisions expected shortly.

Urging workers to avoid destructive pathways, the Deputy  Commissioner warned that vandalism, arson, road blockades, and production disruptions directly jeopardize workers' employment and livelihoods. She called for peaceful, systematic, and dialogue-based approaches to address all grievances.

Highlighting the readymade garment sector as a primary engine of the national economy supporting millions of livelihoods and export earnings, she stressed the collective responsibility of owners and workers to maintain uninterrupted operations and protect industrial productivity. She also urged factory management to prioritize workers' legitimate rights and welfare to ensure safe working conditions across industrial hubs.

The meeting comes in the wake of escalating labor unrest over wage hikes and service benefits across Gazipur, Ashulia, and Hemayetpur, which intensified on October 31 and led to temporary closures of several industrial facilities. Police and Industrial Police forces have maintained heightened patrols to contain potential damage and restore order.

The session was attended by MP for Dhaka-2 Amanullah Aman, Member of Parliament for Dhaka-19 Dr. Dewan Mohammad Salahuddin Babu, Dhaka District Superintendent of Police Shamima Parveen, Savar labor union leaders, and local political figures.