Home Minister Labels Garment Sector Unrest a 'Planned Political Conspiracy'

Dhaka, Bangladesh || Thursday, 5 November 2026 || 20 Kartik 1433

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Home Minister Labels Garment Sector Unrest a 'Planned Political Conspiracy'

Published : Thursday, 5 November, 2026 at 12:40 PM, Count : 40

Home Minister Labels Garment Sector Unrest a 'Planned Political Conspiracy'

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed stated on Thursday that the ongoing unrest in the ready-made garment (RMG) sector is not a "genuine" labour movement, but rather a politically motivated plot to destabilise Bangladesh using ordinary workers as shields.

"It is a planned act of political violence, conspiracy, and an anti-state attempt to destabilise the country by using ordinary workers," Ahmed told reporters during a press briefing at the Posts and Telecommunications Division following an inter-ministerial meeting on the draft Cyber Security (Amendment) Act, 2026.

The Home Minister asserted that workers have no unresolved demands and accused vested quarters including outsiders disguised as garment workers of orchestrating arson, vandalism, and physical attacks. He claimed intelligence investigations point to the involvement of specific factory owners as well as former lawmakers, ministers, and state ministers from the previous Awami League administration. He further alleged that "mafia groups" and reactionary forces were executing a conspiracy originating from a neighbouring country.

Addressing the sector's main grievance regarding pay revisions, Ahmed highlighted that the government has already established a six-member Minimum Wage Board, chaired by a Senior District Judge. He noted that while the board's formation was briefly delayed while waiting for worker representative nominations, it has already held its initial meeting. The board is evaluating inflation, economic conditions, and the cost of living to implement a revised wage structure starting 1 January 2027.

Ahmed stressed that the administration is exercising restraint, noting that law enforcement personnel have been instructed to avoid excessive force even after several officers sustained injuries. However, he warned that criminal elements and instigators would face no leniency, urging workers to resist provocations and return to work immediately to safeguard industrial production and their livelihoods.

Responding to a query regarding the detention of senior journalist Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury, the minister stated that any detention would be based on specific allegations and processed strictly according to the law.

The press briefing was also attended by Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Minister Fakir Mahbub Anam and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed.

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