RMG workers' unrest in N'ganj

Nearly ten thousand garment workers on Sunday took to the streets in Narayangonj, protesting attacks on one of their trade union leaders. As they went on vandalizing shops and blocking the Dhaka-Sylhet highway, they embroiled in a violent clash with law enforcers leaving several workers and law enforcers injured. This is yet another instance of how lack of coordination between workers and garment factory owners can lead to a mayhem which otherwise could have been averted.
Attack on a trade union leader by unidentified assailants could be a cause for consternation amongst the workers who have all the rights to demand immediate arrest of the assailants. However, instead of resorting to violent agitation they could have sought to drive home their demand through peaceful means. Vandalising shops and vehicles cannot be condoned. If innocent people are made to bear the brunt of their grievances, it is ultimately the workers' cause that will lose ground as well as people's support.
Since the massive labour agitation for wage hike in 2010, there followed several other incidents of labour unrest with Saturday's one being the latest. For all we know, excepting the one for wage hike, most others were fomented either by rumours of death or by instigations from vested quarters. As well as revealing the poor, unsettling state of affairs, it reflects the poor worker-management relations.
Our garment factories owners should find ways to motivate their workers properly. They should also have a platform where workers would receive counseling and be able lodge their complaints.
We also think that instead of inciting workers to grow violent on petty grounds, trade unions should work to serve the workers' cause selflessly.