Perception is reality
It is naïve to think that those engaged in the lawlessness, that went on for two weeks, are unperturbed by the possibility of losing their livelihood or are oblivious to the impact that this violence will have on the industry. Then why such extreme hostility? Why such comprehensive disenchantment? The answer may lie in the cliché "perception is reality." The perceived mountain of wealth accumulated by the owners on the backs of the garment workers has translated into the swing of their brick bats and the zeal with which they shout their demands.
Over the last decade, the RMG sector has put Bangladesh on the map. It has also created a new breed of Bangladeshis whom we often call "garment-wallas." It is also true that a generation of new elite has risen, throwing the already existing income disparity in Bangladesh completely out of whack. How many of these elites have come from the booming garments industry and how many are politicians and government servants is not a question that can be answered definitively. However, to the common man it makes little difference.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Every evening, as the chains of garments workers cross the roads on their way home, they traverse through the choc a block traffic packed with the latest BMWs and SUVs. Just the waxing and polishing of any of these vehicles cost more than a year's salary for most of these hard working men and women.
The ostentatious lifestyle of Dhaka's elite continues unabated and is thrown in the faces of the blue collar workers every day. As the number of luxury cars, apartments in the flashiest of neighbourhoods, private schools where monthly fees are no less than fifty thousand Taka, diamond sets and shopping sprees in Dubai increase, all eyes focus on the owners of these garment factories and their families.
However, little is done to change the working conditions of the garment workers. There is no improvement in health and safety (as we've witnessed with the collapse of and burning down of several factories) and no change in wages and benefits. But the BMW parked outside the factory parking changes series numbers every year. Is it really then a wonder that the garment worker demands an improvement in her wage and working conditions?
As the rich and famous move away from humility and social responsibility and the income disparity is shoved in the faces of the common man, such reactions from the have-nots are only to be expected.
There are many companies in this sector that have the interests of their workers in mind, who already provide fair wages and good governance, but until this becomes the norm in the entire industry, perception will remain that, they are all the same; and perception is reality.