They consider trade unionism as the right of workers but they hesitate to allow it because of their past experience, they said.

Leaders of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) gave their opinion at a roundtable on 'Problems and Solutions of the Garment Industry' in the capital.

The Prothom Alo organised the roundtable, conducted by its Editor Matiur Rahman.

Other speakers at the roundtable urged the garment factory owners to allow trade unions in the sector. It is the right of workers to organise themselves on various issues, they stressed.

"You ( garment factory owners) may consider allowing trade unionism since it would then be easier to deal with a large number of workers on a certain issue," said Latifur Rahman, president of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI)."I have never seen or heard that because of trade unionism, trade or business have been stopped."

The MCCI chief also said garment manufacturers will have to address the existing problems in the sector.

Amirul Haque Amin, general secretary of Jatiya Garments Sramik Federation, said no garment owner could cite any instance of closure of a factory due to trade unionism.

Mamun Rashid, chief executive officer of Citibank NA, also said garment owners should allow trade unionism.

BGMEA president Tipu Munshi said as garment industry is a labour intensive one and most of the workers are women who are not so educated, trade union leaders might mislead them.

Former president of the BGMEA Kutubuddin Ahmed said, "We have no problem in allowing trade unionism but a fear works in our mind as we saw every trade union at a stage goes under a political party."

He also said the recent violence in garment industry is a wake up call for its owners.

Another former BGMEA president, Annisul Huq, said it will have to be ensured that there will be no unwanted incident in the sector due to trade union activities.

Some speakers said mid-level management in garment industry is very weak, resulting in a communication gap between the owners and workers. They suggested more investment on building an efficient management to put an end to this.

The garment manufacturers also gave their views on workers' demands for increased minimum wages, appointment letter, weekly holiday and maternity leave.

Annisul Huq said minimum wage is now a 'myth and slogan'. "And instead of it, we now favour sector-wise wages."

The garments owner also sought formation of a transparent enquiry committee to probe the recent violence in the industry.

Dr Hamida Hossain, director of Ain O Salish Kendro, said the BGMEA repeatedly made commitments on workers' rights but did not implement those. "You should now give a time frame to fulfil the workers demands," she added.

Fazlul Haque, president of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said the recent violence will affect foreign investment in garment industry.

Oother speakers included Dr Shahdeen Malik, advocate of the Supreme Court, BGMEA vice-presidents Abdus Salam Murshedy and Shahadat Hossain Chowdhury ,Dr Pratima Paul-Majumder, research fellow of BIDS, Nazma Akhtar, general secretary and executive director of Sammilito Garments Sramik Federation.