Shafiqur urges restraint among stakeholders in garment industry

Opposition Leader and Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Shafiqur Rahman has urged all concerned with the garment industry to show restraint and act responsibly amid the ongoing unrest in the industry.

“The unrest in the country’s largest export sector is deeply concerning, which is already facing mounting economic challenges,” Shafiqur said in a Facebook post on Sunday.

About the potential causes behind the unrest, he hinted at the power crisis, falling export orders, rising production costs, and global uncertainties as well as the eroding real wages for workers.

While urging all to show patience, he also called on the government to take urgent measures to resolve the industry’s power crisis and boost production to help resolve the main problems. Delay would bring further troubles, he called on all concerned.

“Bangladesh’s largest export sector is facing mounting challenges, including unreliable power supply, high energy prices, rising production costs, uncertainty in global markets and cancellations or withdrawals of export orders, as well as a decline in orders compared with previous levels,” he said.

“Workers, meanwhile, are struggling with rising house rents, prices of essential goods, transportation costs and medical expenses.

“The government must urgently take sustainable measures to address the problems confronting the industry and protect the country’s key export sector. Ensuring an uninterrupted power supply and boosting production would help create the conditions needed to address these challenges.

“Saving the industry means safeguarding not only business owners but also the country. The government must therefore act responsibly to protect both industrial entrepreneurs and the workforce.

“We urge all parties to exercise restraint and demonstrate responsibility.

“Failure to act could push the country’s fragile economy to the brink of collapse. There is no room for delay.”