DHAKA: Bangladesh’s important garment industry lost $400 million because of the unrest following the students protest that ousted the country’s prime minister, said industry leaders Sunday, adding the situation is stable now.
The country’s 3,500 garment factories account for around 85 percent of its $55 billion in yearly exports, but the unrest disrupted the linchpin industry.
After months of violent protests, former leader Sheikh Hasina fled by helicopter to neighbouring India on August 5.
An interim government, led by Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus was formed, but protests in garment factories continued with workers demanding better pay and job security.
On September 30, a garment worker was killed and 20 were wounded in clashes between police and protesters.
President of the Bangladesh Garments and Industrial Workers Federation, Kalpana Akhtar on Sunday said that there had to be a drastic change in the behavior of factory owners and the government.
“The discussion about pay raises only takes place when the workers take to the streets”, Akhtar told media.
Bangladesh is the world’s second-biggest exporter of clothing after China and supplies many of the world’s top brands.
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Khandaker Rafiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association, said that the garment industry is currently stable after going through a challenging period.
“The buyers have regained their trust in Bangladeshi apparel, but uninterrupted law and order is essential to maintain stability”.
