Contradictions
Photo: A.M.Ahad.tif / driknews
I find myself confused by the present crisis in the RMG sector because of many contradictions. It is our major foreign exchange earner, largest employer, gives opportunities to women and generates huge revenue. Unfortunately, this productive area is going through increasing unrest and violent upheavals. Both workers and owners are unhappy. To a layman, with access to only what he reads or sees on TV, the causes are many and the old merry-go-round blame game is being played with full vigour by the three parties involved workers, owners and government. The workers' grievances of being exploited are very valid. What sort of a total minimum monthly wage is Tk. 1,662/- ($24.23) in these days of rampant inflation? Tk. 3,000/- ($43.73) fixed by the govt or Tk. 5,000/- ($72.89) demanded by most workers is not much better. There is no subsidised ration, no healthcare or allowances, no facilities etc. Also what do the workers expect to gain by rioting in the streets destroying valuable property, vehicles and factories? The owners bemoan recession in importing countries, cuts in prices and orders, load shedding, red tape tangles, labour unrest, interest rates, port delays, forced air shipments etc. They use these 'loss' arguments to resist any wage increases. Successive governments are reluctant to solve these problems. Misdemeanours are dealt with a soft slap on the hands. Private and official strong-arm tactics are used to keep the work force subdued. The contradictions arise when reports filter through, of nexus being formed to cut prices to cut out other groups. Under invoicing of exports is an age-old and risk-free method of cheating on local taxes and building nest eggs abroad. How else can you buy citizenships of Canada, ranches in USA, shopping malls in Dubai and beach palaces in S.E Asia, apart from the regular medical holidays in all the best resorts. In Bangladesh there is no dearth of palatial residences and extravagant farmhouses on which crores are spent. Lavish parties in five-star hotels and clubs where one dinner bill may be equivalent to the salaries of hundreds of workers. These contradictions then stand out like a sore thumb. The questions are simple. If they cannot give a practical wage to workers, how can they afford such costly and unnecessary luxuries? How come the dozens of controlling authorities, have not noticed these contradictions, which are shamelessly exhibited with impunity and without fear? Have all concerned been purchased? Has the conscience of the privileged become totally numb?
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