"Election is only seven to eight months away from now. A particular quarter in a very planned way is trying to create an unstable situation before the election," the commerce minister told a meeting with EPZ investors without naming any party, in the office of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (Bepza).

It is a culture in Bangladesh to create agitations before the election, he said urging the opposition not to do politicking with the country's industries but to extend cooperation to the government in restoring normalcy to the EPZ.

Leaders of Bangladesh EPZ Investors Association (Bepzia) termed the situation a complete governance failure, saying that they feel threatened and it is not possible for them to run their industries without necessary protection and security.

Kihak Sung, chairman of Bepzia, said the situation is being observed and the suspension of production in the factories will continue until the situation there is totally under control.

"The situation is out of control to continue operations. We feel threatened and law and order is not prevailing at DEPZ. Bringing law and order back is very urgent," he told the meeting during a videoconference.

Investors need protection from outsiders as 90 percent of the persons involved in violence come from outside, he said. Some of the demands are genuine and some are not, said Sung, also chairman of Youngone group, adding that everything should be carried out lawfully.

Speaking at the meeting, Anisul Islam Mahmud, a former minister also a member of Bepzia, said it is the responsibility of the government to find out why the situation deteriorated.

Demanding immediate actions he said if there are legitimate demands, those have to be definitely resolved and if salaries or overtimes are not paid, those issues have to be settled.

About the salary structure he said he himself would not be happy with the salary the workers get but they have to understand the limitation of the industry also.

Speaking at the meeting, Kaiser Rahman, vice-president of Bepzia, said the present situation is purely an issue of governance. "We want protection and security. We don't want to look away as 95 percent of the workers are interested to continue working."

The investors of DEPZ have no other option but to keep the factories closed, he said adding that an indefinite suspension of production will continue until law and order is restored at DEPZ. Terming the ongoing workers' unrest as an outside intervention he sought assurance from the minister so that they can resume production in their factories as soon as possible.

ASA Nur, vice-chairman of Youngone group, said production loss per day is so enormous that it is very difficult to explain. Violence will continue if the factories keep on operating, he said adding that somewhere there is a lack of understanding.

"The workers at DEPZ are saying 'we want our demands met right now', the investors are afraid and the situation should be tackled," Nur said. He also said a resolution to the problems should be found according to the law.

The laws of the land or the labour law do not provide the same facilities to others that the workers at EPZs enjoy, he said adding that factories at EPZs are by and large compliant with the law.

Assuring the investors, commerce minister requested them to resume operations in their factories as early as possible and said the government has already taken all out measures to control the situation at DEPZ.

"All I can say is that we are sorry for the situation created at DEPZ. We are taking all possible measures to prevent recurrences in the future," he said.

However, the minister said the government still is not clear about who are the people behind instigating the workers to indulge in violence.

"Those who are demonstrating in the area don't know who their leaders are and we have a difficult situation there," he said adding that it is an international conspiracy and some local people might have joined hands. "Since an investigation is going on, I will not pinpoint who are involved in the violence.

But you (investors) are sensible enough to understand who are responsible for creating unrest and political turmoil to bring down the elected government from power," he said.

The government will not tolerate any nuisance at EPZs because it will affect other industries and other sectors, the minister said. He said he heard that a vested quarter is already trying to create problems in the frozen food sector in Khulna.

The prime minister has already ordered the home ministry to take severe action against the ongoing situation, he said adding that actions have also been taken against some Bepza officials for their failure in discharging their responsibilities and more officials are on the waiting list to be punished.

Speaking at the meeting, Brig Gen (retd) Zakir Hossain, chairman of Bepza, claimed that the situation has already improved a lot at DEPZ.

US EMBASSY EXPRESSES CONCERN
The US Embassy in Dhaka yesterday expressed its concern over the continuing violence and unrest at garment factories in and outside Dhaka EPZ.

"We hope that management, labourers and the government can work together to resolve all issues in a peaceful and lawful manner, and help clarify the factors that have led to these problems," a spokesman of the embassy told UNB.

Asked if US support for trade union activities in EPZs is a reason for the labour unrest, he said as members of International Labour Organization (ILO), both the United States and Bangladesh governments are obliged to support freedom of association for workers.

"In that context, we hope that the 2004 legislation extending freedom of association rights to workers in EPZs is fully implemented and respected by all sides," the spokesman added.