Mufti Syed Mohammad Faizul Karim, the Senior Nayeb-e-Amir of Islami Andolan Bangladesh (IAB) and widely known as Shaykh-e-Charmonai, has raised concerns over alleged conspiracies targeting Bangladesh’s vital garment sector.
Speaking at the Garment Workers Conference 2024, held at the National Press Club auditorium on Thursday, he accused "enemies of the country" of trying to destabilize the nation by undermining the key remittance-earning industry.
“Those who are enemies of the country and humanity are now attempting to disrupt our garment sector through conspiracies,” he said.
The conference, organized by the Garment Workers‘ Movement Bangladesh, drew attention to challenges faced by workers in the sector, which forms the backbone of the country’s economy. Mufti Faizul Karim, addressing the gathering as the chief guest, emphasized the strategic importance of the industry for Bangladesh and urged vigilance against efforts to destabilize it.
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The event was presided over by Muhammad Harun-ur-Rashid, President of the Garment Workers Movement Bangladesh.
Mentioning the crucial role of garment workers in earning foreign exchange, Faizul Karim said the country's garment sector is maintaining the balance of the economy.
"Domestic and foreign conspiracies continue to destroy the country's garment sector. A group of unscrupulous people are plotting to paralyze the country's economy by organizing various movements on lame excuses," he said.
The Senior Nayeb-e-Amir of IAB said that as part of the conspiracy to destroy the country through syndicates, workers are being deprived of their fair rights. Their wages are not being paid properly.
"If the workers were not discriminated against and were given appropriate rights by stopping oppression, production would have increased and the workers, owners and the country would have benefited," he observed.
Saying that discrimination has been created between workers and owners in a planned manner, he said there is a lack of quality housing and transportation facilities for workers and need for safe shelter for women workers in factories in particular.
Stressing the importance of reducing the distance between owners and workers, he urged the interim government to take special steps for the garment sector.
"Arrangements must be made so that workers are not deprived of their rights under any circumstances. There must be a commitment to provide necessary assistance to sick workers or those affected by accidents," he added.
Referring to the leather industry, he said that the country's leather sector is being destroyed in a planned manner. Bangladesh cannot sell leather to Europe directly, tannery owners have claimed Bangladesh has to sell leather via India, he said.
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He stressed the need to change the existing rules and regulations of Bangladesh in the field of leather export.
Commenting on the attack on a Bangladesh mission in India and desecration of the flag of Bangladesh, he said, “What is the reason for this attack on our country's diplomats in India? Does India want to start a war with Bangladesh? If India wants to play war, what kind of a friend is it? Mamata Banerjee's statement has proven that her statement is hostile.”
About ISKCON, he said, “ISKCON is not a religious organization of Hindus. It is an organization of terrorists.”
"Thousands of Hindus in the country are patriots. They think about the country. They make efforts for the development of the country. But ISKCON is not about the country, it is involved in a conspiracy to destabilize the country.
"If the members of ISKCON were true citizens of Bangladesh, they would not have demanded India to intervene in Bangladesh. They do not trust the administration, courts and laws of Bangladesh. It is necessary to investigate and find out whether they are working to implement the agenda of another country," he said.
The new committee of the Garment Workers' Movement was announced at the conference with Muhammad Harun-ur-Rashid as the president and Haji Md. Farooq Hawlader as the general secretary.