The BGMEA explained that the meeting focused on the overall "labour situation," voicing concerns over recent worker unrest and road blockades that caused severe traffic congestion and public inconvenience.
The BGMEA urged factory owners to ensure timely payment of wages and allowances, engage in regular meetings with workers to foster "harmonious" industrial relations and collaborate with industrial police to resolve disputes.
It was also unanimously agreed that any issues or conflicts between owners and workers, regarding wages or other matters, should be resolved through dialogue among all concerned representatives.
Attendees included representatives from the BGMEA, Bangladesh Army, Industrial Police, Department of Inspection for Factories and Establishments, DC of Dhaka District, DC of Gazipur District, DGFI, NSI, Community Policing on RMG, and garment factory representatives.
The meeting was presided over by the new BGMEA President Khandoker Rafiqul Islam.
The BGMEA emphasised that all parties committed to working together to maintain fair labour conditions.
On 27 August, Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, formerly the senior vice president of the BGMEA, succeeded S.M. Mannan (Kochi) as president after Kochi resigned to undergo long-term medical treatment.
Kochi’s resignation followed the departure of Bangladesh’s Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who stepped down and left the country in August 2024.
In the weeks that followed, the BGMEA said the unrest had led to a “hostile takeover attempt” on 7 August.
The takeover attempt was said to have taken place hours after a group of apparel exporters expressed “no confidence” in the current BGMEA leadership, according to local news reports.