AL-govt abandoned textile industry: BTMA president laments lack of policy support

The ousted Awami League government had abandoned the country’s textile industry, Bangladesh Textiles Mills Association (BTMA) President Shawkat Aziz Russell has said, criticising the lack of policy support for the industry.

“Despite lack of work during Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent two years, workers had to be paid,” he said at a press conference held at its Karwan Bazar office today (11 September).

“If at least 10% of the money that has been laundered was given as an incentive, the industry could recover,” he said.

Meanwhile, he also said the industry is operating at only 30% capacity amid the ongoing gas crisis.

He also said the global image of Bangladesh’s textile industry is currently at risk.

Regarding the labour unrest, the BTMA president said some outsiders are instigating the labour unrest.

He requested the police force to play the same role in saving the industry as they have done in protecting the government in the past.

Russell also urged for the rescheduling of bank loans for the textile sector.

BTMA Vice President Abul Kalam alleged that 90% of factories have yet to receive the low-interest loans announced by the government to pay workers’ wages.

“However, there is a rumour among workers that the government is giving them the money for free.”

Khorshed Alam, a director of BTMA, alleged that fabrics worth Tk1,000 crore are being smuggled into the country from neighbouring countries, hidden in trucks under the guise of imported stones.

He demanded a ban on the import of goods by road.