Bangladeshi garment manufacturers today decided to reopen hundreds of factories in a hub outside Dhaka, ending three days of forced closure following unrest over the country's worst ever industrial disaster that killed 1,127 people.
"We have decided to reopen the factories from tomorrow after the government assurance of adequate security," Mohammad Atiqul Islam, the president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said after a meeting with senior government ministers.
Home minister Mahiuddin Khan Alamgir promised to ensure law and order at the industrial hub at suburban Ashulia, while the workers preferred to return to the production line after assurances of enhanced safety steps and wages.
The BGMEA, which represents the country's 4,500 garment factories, on Monday announced the shutdown of the factories in the Ashulia industrial area adjoining Savar where the eight-story building housing five garments units collapsed three weeks ago.
Bangladesh's top garment factories, which make clothing for a string of major Western retailers including Walmart, H&M, Tesco, Inditex and Carrefour, are based at Ashulia.
The tragedy that highlighted appalling safety conditions in the sector sparked afresh workers protests and western retailers concerns about the safety standards and low wages.
Angry workers also demanded an increase in their minimum monthly wage, which was fixed at USD 38 in November 2010.
Earlier this week, Bangladesh cabinet approved an amendment to labour laws, paving the way for Parliament to enact a law allowing garment workers to form trade unions without prior approval from the factory owners.
The government also formed a wage board to consider pay increases for ready-made garment workers.
