Labour ministry adviser Asif Mahmud Sajib Bhuiyan on Thursday acknowledged both the conspiracies and legitimate grievances fueling labor unrest.

He said that 15-20 per cent of export orders have been canceled as a result of the ongoing disruptions. Additionally, action is being taken against those inciting unrest.

He made the statement during a briefing at the Foreign Service Academy, following a meeting of the Advisory Council (Cabinet) led by Muhammad Yunus.

The Advisor also mentioned that a committee has been established to address labor grievances.

This committee will hear workers’ complaints and work on resolving them.

In the meantime, the Ministry of Labor and Employment has urged people to call 16357 to report any labor-related complaints, using the toll-free number.

On September 11, a Labor Grievance Monitoring Committee was formed to review grievances in both the ready-made garment (RMG) and non-RMG sectors.

The committee, led by the additional secretary of the labor department as convener and the director of trade union and arbitration as member secretary, includes three labor leaders, two Supreme Court lawyers, and two representatives from the owners’ side.

Asif Mahmud said no worker would attack their own factory as it would jeopardize their livelihoods.

There have been no reports of workers attacking factories; instead, incidents involving the ‘Bekar Jubo Sangh’ attacking various factories have been reported, he said.

One such individual from Bekar Jubo Sangh, arrested in Netrakona, turned out to be a leader of the Chatra League, the adviser said.

Since the interim government assumed office, unrest and deprivation have spread to the garment industry.

Factories have been closing due to protests and demands for higher salaries, attendance bonuses, and better working conditions.

According to the industrial police, the number of factory closures is rising daily.

Labour leaders have alleged that some factory owners, who have connections with the Awami League, are intentionally inciting worker unrest for political and personal gain.