DHAKA, Nov 14, 2026 (V7N) - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) have called upon factory owners, workers, the government, civil society, and the media to work together to ensure stability, security, and a conducive production environment in the country's readymade garment (RMG) sector.

Speaking at an emergency press conference at the BGMEA office in Uttara today, leaders of the two trade bodies noted that while the vast majority of owners and workers want peaceful industrial operations, recent labour unrest and sporadic incidents of disorder over minimum wages in Savar, Ashulia, and Gazipur have severely disrupted production. According to the associations, some workers—allegedly instigated by outside groups—have been creating chaos inside factories, preventing colleagues from joining work, and throwing bricks and stones at the main gates of neighboring units. As a result, several member factories have been forced to temporarily suspend operations due to a lack of adequate security.

Responding to questions on whether those behind the disruptions had been identified, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan stated that while the association cannot independently identify the perpetrators, law enforcement agencies are actively investigating and have already brought the instigators under surveillance. Noting that factory owners are scheduled to attend a Minimum Wage Board meeting on November 16, he expressed hope that normalcy would return within the next one or two days, warning that owners would take fresh organizational decisions if the situation fails to improve.

The BGMEA president further emphasized that ongoing instability is tarnishing the apparel industry's image in international markets, hurting the national economy, and obstructing the normal functioning of the Minimum Wage Board. Pointing out that the board was formed on November 1 and has already announced the effective date for the new minimum wage at its first meeting, he argued there is no logical justification for continuing the unrest that began in late October. He also voiced concern that continued pressure and disorder could create an environment leading to an unreasonable wage structure, urging the government to take effective measures to restore law and order across industrial zones.

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