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Let's not cripple our economy

11 June 2006, 18:00 PM
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
By Dr. Reza Monem Brisbane, Australia
11 June 2006, 18:00 PM
It is with sheer sadness that we are witnessing some of the darkest days of labour unrest and economic destruction. In the developed world, roads and highways are used solely for moving people and goods from point A to point B. But in the third world or developing countries, roads have many roles to play - they are the substitute for the parliament, battleground for politicians, places for industrial bargain, venue for student activists to press home their demands for deferring examinations or to oust any academic administration they do not like.

Politicians and leaders from all sides and beliefs must come to the realisation that labour unrest is a dangerous recipe for destroying an economy. Industrial workers must realise that if they destroy the very factories that employ them, who will employ them when the industries are shut down and their jobs move overseas. Employers need the workers as much as the workers need the employers.

It is only the partnership of trust and mutual respect that can foster economic growth of a nation.

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With the consistent violence in several garment units, the existence of the industry is now at stake. The unexpected happenings have put great pressure on the national economy. We all became dumbfounded when we observed garment workers demonstrating violently once again. It has raised some questions:

1. What issues are working behind this violent unrest?

2. Who are getting benefit from it?

3. Are our workers really related to it?

Whatever the matter is, it has brought to the fore the question of our national security and law enforcement as well. On the other hand, such kind of activities may seriously obstruct future foreign investment in our country. This is because if such a situation prevails the foreign investors may close their business from Bangladesh. And it will be a great setback to our labour market. In this circumstances, our national economy will be hard hit. We will lose the international RMG market. Again in future, it will be tough to win back the market. If we fail to manage this crisis, our national economy will be hampered immensely. It is inevitable that our garment industry will be ruined if we fail to rein in the disruptive elements.

Kazi Abubakar Siddique Dhaka