Dhaka, Nov 5 (IANS) Bangladesh will introduce an industrial police force and separate intelligence unit to tackle recurring industrial violence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Thursday.
Her announcement while opening the 20th BATEXPO-09 came within a week of a worker-police clash at Tongi, the national capital’s industrial suburb where three persons died and hundreds were injured.

An immediate measure planned a day later was that of introducing trade unions in the readymade garments and knitwear manufacturing industries that, while being the biggest foreign exchange spinners, have witnessed frequent violence due to poor industrial relations.

Hasina ordered action against the owner of a unit that was locked out without paying wages for three months.

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), however, defended him and alleged a “conspiracy” behind the violence.

Hasina Thursday warned that the government would not tolerate wrongdoing, either by the employers or the employees, Star Online, the web site of The Daily Star reported.

The government will conduct an investigation to find out the culprits behind the violence in the sector, she said.

“We are noticing that vested quarters are trying to make chaos in the readymade garment (RMG) sector,” she said adding: “We will not allow any ill-force to be successful in creating anarchy in the garment sector.”

She asked the owners to undertake sufficient welfare activities for the workers of the garment sector.

Hasina also asked Finance Minister A.M.A. Muhith, who was present, to take necessary measures to save 270 sick industries in this sector.