Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has directed relevant authorities to remain vigilant and take necessary measures to ensure the smooth operation of factories and industrial establishments, as well as the safety of lives and property, amid growing labour unrest in the country’s garment sector.

Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury disclosed the directive while briefing journalists after a meeting with the prime minister at the Secretariat on Sunday night.

“The prime minister has instructed everyone to remain alert and take appropriate measures to ensure that factories and industrial establishments operate properly and that people’s lives and property remain safe,” the minister said.

The meeting discussed the ongoing protests by garment workers demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000, clashes between workers and police in Mirpur, and the overall situation in the country.

According to the labour minister, the discussion also focused on restoring public safety and stability amid the ongoing unrest.

Ariful Haque further alleged that certain groups were attempting to create instability and undermine the government ahead of December.

He said the meeting also discussed how to address the alleged conspiracies and those involved in them.

The minister alleged that some individuals were using political parties and organisations associated with workers to create unrest against the government.

“We will deal with it politically,” he said.

The meeting began at 6:00pm at the Cabinet Division conference room at the Secretariat.

Those present included Prime Minister’s Political Adviser Nazrul Islam Khan, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shah Alam, Prime Minister’s Adviser Mahdi Amin, and Nationalist Workers Party chief coordinator and lawmaker Shamsur Rahman Shimul Biswas.

The emergency meeting was convened amid growing tensions in the country’s garment industry.

Earlier on Sunday, garment workers staged demonstrations and blocked roads in Dhaka, Ashulia and Gazipur, demanding a minimum monthly wage of Tk 30,000.

The protests disrupted traffic in several areas and led to clashes with police and incidents of vandalism.

In Mirpur, at least 20 people, including four to five police personnel, were injured in repeated clashes between police and garment workers.

The government is now seeking to restore stability while ensuring the continued operation of industrial establishments and public safety.