Nagorik Sanghati President Dr ASM Atiqur Rahman speaks at a view exchange meeting on 'Ways to face challenges in RMG sector' at the National Press Club in the city yesterday. On his left is Dr Mainul Islam and on right is Syed Abul Maksud. Nagorik Sanghati organised the event.Photo: STAR

Give workers necessary wages to help solve the current crisis in garment sector, said the speakers at a view exchange meeting yesterday.
They emphasised the need for introducing rationing system for the workers to overcome the hardships caused by price hike of essentials.
They also called for responsible trade unionism to solve any kind of crisis in garment sector through discussion.
The meeting was organised by Nagorik Sanghati at the National Press Club in the city.
Presided over by President of Nagorik Sanghati Prof Dr ASM Atikur Rahman, the meeting was moderated by Monowar Mostafa.
"The fulfilment of reasonable demands of the workers will be the mighty weapon to resist any conspiracy against the garment sector," said journalist Razu Ahmed who presented a keynote paper at the meeting.
He said a responsible trade unionism, payment of necessary wages on regular basis and proper steps to protect human rights will not only reduce the anger of the workers but also increase their production capabilities.
Razu said to ensure international market excess, problems related to lead time, backward and forward linkage, bureaucratic tangle, port, electricity and customs will have to be resolved.
Sajib, a garment worker, said they resort to agitation peacefully to realise their demand, but they don't know who is behind the vandalism in garment factories.
"We do not destroy our workplace but we want only our necessary wages," he added.
Suggesting BGMEA and BKMEA to introduce rationing system on symbolic basis to inspire the government, Dr Mainul Islam, former president of Bangladesh Economic Society, said the government should introduce rationing system for garment workers who are the worst victims of price spiral.
He also suggested diversification of export markets so that the developed countries like the USA cannot blackmail Bangladesh.
Awami League leader Lt Col (retd) Faruk Khan said political will is very necessary to solve the present crisis in garment sector.
“The problem will have to be solved collectively as it is not possible to solve alone,” he said, adding that the AL will take necessary steps if it is voted to power.
Urging the garment owners to find out the real cause of agitation, labour leader Dr Wajedul Islam Khan said, " If we do not try to find out the real causes and take steps to solve them, it will not be possible to stop agitation using BDR, Rab or police."
"I do not believe that the garment workers are involved in vandalism as they want to keep the sector alive," he added.
Urging the authorities concerned to increase minimum wages of the workers, Rajshahi University teacher Zakir Hossain said Tk 1662 is not enough as minimum wage for a worker.
Journalist Sayed Abul Maksud said, "If we fail to protect the garment industries it will not only harm our economy but also harm our society as a huge number of women depends on this sector."
BKMEA President M A Based said although the production cost of garment items has increased, the exporting rate of the products has reduced.
"If we are able to increase the price of export goods we will be able to share it with the workers," he said.
BGMEA Vice-president Shahidul Islam said they are trying their best to give facilities to the workers according to their ability.
Terming the vandalism a conspiracy against the garment sector, he said two-thirds of recent incidents of vandalism occurred in sweater factories where workers are well paid.