Staff Correspondent

Awami League (AL) General Secretary Obaidul Quader today blamed that BNP and its allies have instigations in the ongoing movement of garment workers.

"It is clear that BNP and its allies have a black hand in the workers' movement in garment factories," he told a joint meeting of the party at AL Bangabandhu Avenue central office in the capital.

The meeting was held between the AL secretariat and the leaders of its affiliated organisations.

Replying to a question, Quader said: "There is provocation. The black hands of BNP and its allies are clearly found (in it). They are instigating and creating rumours."

He said they (BNP and its allies) are confusing the innocent workers through incitements and rumours.

The wage of a worker was only Taka 800 in the past but now it increased to Taka 12,500, he said, adding that the current situation of the country should be understood too.

Quader, also the road transport and bridges minister, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday clearly explained this matter where two leaders of BGMEA were present and they listened to it.

"This problem has mostly been resolved. But there are some problems in Konabari and Ashulia. We think that our workers will come forward to resolve the issues by understanding the current reality," he said.

The AL general secretary said the sneak attacks, in the name of BNP's movement, should be resisted and election atmosphere must be maintained. "We must remember that we are fighting against the adverse tide of dissent," he added.

He said now anti-government plots are underway in various ways, while anti-government activities are going on at home and abroad.

The BNP's October 28 movement has fallen flat, Quader said, adding after failing in waging normal movement, they (BNP) have started to choose the unusual path.

Their old political habits of arson attacks has been added to BNP's movement, and by doing this and carrying out sneak attacks, they are trying to oust the Sheikh Hasina government, he said.

The road transport and bridges minister said: "We are going through an adverse situation in the country's political arena. In such a situation, the AL's affiliated bodies help the AL government move forward.

About the next general elections, he said the election is approaching and the polls schedule will be announced soon.

AL joint general secretary and Information and Broadcasting Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, AL joint general secretary AFM Bahauddin Nasim, organising secretaries Ahmed Hossain, Mirza Azam and Sujit Roy Nandi, information and research secretary Dr Salim Mahmud, office secretary Barrister Biplab Barua, science and technology affairs secretary Engineer Abdus Sabur, cultural affairs secretary Asim Kumar Ukil, agriculture and cooperatives affairs secretary Faridunnahar Laili, education and human resource affairs secretary Samsunnahar Chapa and deputy office secretary Sayem Khan were, among others, present at the meeting.