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Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said law enforcement agencies have been instructed not to use excessive force to control the ongoing protests.
He made the remarks while speaking to reporters after a meeting at the Secretariat on Wednesday (November 4) to review the draft of the amended Cyber Security Act.
Asked about the ongoing garment workers’ protests, the minister said the incidents taking place needed to be redefined to determine whether they constituted protests, political agendas or acts of violence.
He said garment workers had demanded the formation of a wage board to revise the minimum wage in line with the previously scheduled timeline. The government had taken initiatives to form the board well in advance, but the process was delayed slightly as the workers’ representatives took time to nominate their representative.
The wage board was formed the day after the workers’ side submitted its nomination, and its first meeting was held on Wednesday.
Salahuddin said the board includes representatives of both employers and workers. Its chairman would hear the views of all stakeholders before recommending a reasonable minimum wage, taking into account previous wage increases, the current economic situation, rising living costs and employers’ financial capacity.
He added that the prime minister had instructed the authorities to determine wages while considering improvements in workers’ living standards, describing the government as both labour-friendly and industry-friendly.
The government’s objectives are to increase exports, strengthen the economy and create more employment opportunities, he said.
Regarding the ongoing violence, the home minister questioned the demands behind some of the activities, alleging that individuals who were not genuine workers were attempting to create unrest in the name of the labour movement.
He alleged that some groups had attacked law enforcement vehicles, committed arson and engaged in violence in different areas.
