The situation in the garment sector went almost out of control in May this year when violent labour unrest hit many garment factories. The government responded to the crisis by constituting a board that was supposed to recommend a pay structure for the workers within three months, but it has failed to do so. We feel that an issue of grave importance has not been handled with due urgency.

The result is that the workers have returned to streets and are threatening to go for a tougher movement, which in our opinion could only spell disaster for the sector as a whole. The question that cannot be evaded at this point of time is, why the issue of a minimum wage for the very poorly paid workers could not be settled in three months? A large number of owners, who are apparently not ready to accept the workers' demands, have failed to explain why they cannot pay enhanced salaries, though they are making huge profits. If some of the owners can afford to pay better salaries and even re-invest the money earned from the factories, why can't others?

The problem, as it stands now, seems to stem from the owners' dismal failure to take a broader view of the workers' miseries. Do the owners really believe that they can continue to have the best services of the workers by denying them of their rightful demand? Their position is both professionally and morally untenable.

The RMG sector leaders and all other concerned should address the issue in light of modern management practices which fully guarantee the rights of workers. They should further think of introducing other facilities like food at a subsidised rate, medical and child care, education for workers' children etc.

Finally, the issue of fixing a minimum wage for the workers should be resolved amicably in order to maintain the maximum operational efficiency of the garment sector, the country's premier foreign exchange earner.