"Labour Unrest Costs Garment Industry $400M: BGMEA"

The garment industry has incurred a production loss of nearly $400 million due to recent labor unrest in September and October. "Work orders from international clothing retailers and brands are starting to normalize as stability returns to the sector," stated Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, president of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), during a press conference at the BGMEA office in the capital today.

He pointed out that maintaining law and order, as well as discipline, are now the primary challenges facing the garment sector, which has resumed regular operations. He urged the government to refrain from disconnecting utility services, such as gas and electricity, for three months in any industry, as many have been impacted by the labor unrest.

Islam also called on the government to reduce bank interest rates to single digits.