Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj

The working people and labourers  of various factories in the industrial city of Narayanganj are not doing well. Since the anti-discrimination movement, 110 garment factories—large and small—have shut down over the last eight months. Most of the factory owners fled earlier, operating the factories through loyal associates from behind the scenes. Eventually, they locked the gates and shut down operations, leaving workers with four to five months of unpaid wages. Labor leaders have failed to act strongly in the workers’ interest. Many of them allegedly offered shelter to certain garment owners after August 5 and are now preoccupied with sharing the spoils. Influential fugitive garment owners, backed by the fascist government, have caused divisions among the labor leaders in Narayanganj. As a result, the labor leadership has split into multiple factions. Disputes among labor leaders have intensified around preparations for a rally and showdown on May Day in Narayanganj. Allegations, press conferences, and even General Diaries (GD) have been filed at Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station over the issue. On Tuesday, April 29, at a press conference, labor leader Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Ismail criticized Md. Hafizul Islam, President of the Narayanganj District Communist Party.  Ismail accused Hafizul Islam—allegedly an associate of absconding Awami League MP Shamim Osman and a jhut (garment waste) trader and stone supplier—of abusing power. He claimed Hafizul, under the influence of fugitive fascist forces, is trying to sabotage the Bangladesh Textile Garments Workers Federation’s rally, potentially disrupting law and order in the city. Ismail further accused Hafiz of various immoral acts under the guise of labor politics. According to Ismail, Hafiz, who collects garment waste from Fakira Garments, always manipulates issues to serve factory owners’ interests while ignoring workers’ rights. Because of Hafiz, the Times Sweater factory has been destroyed. He alleged that Hafiz has started using progressive politics for personal gain. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, leaders of the Narayanganj district and metropolitan unit of the Bangladesh Textile Garments Workers Federation held a press conference listing complaints against Hafizul Islam. They stated that on May 1, they plan to hold the federation’s 7th district conference at the Chashara Shaheed Minar, for which they received permission from the Narayanganj City Corporation.  They alleged that Hafizul Islam is trying to sabotage the rally using his influence. According to FM Abu Sayeed, Hafizul is claiming that the Shaheed Minar cannot be used for the federation’s event.   When approached, Hafizul claimed the Cultural Alliance has a program at the venue on that day. However, upon contacting the respected leaders of the Cultural Alliance, the federation found out that no such program was announced nor any application submitted to the City Corporation. FM Abu Sayeed said that Hafizul is spreading false information with the intention of sabotaging the labor rally and disrupting public order in Narayanganj. Despite informing other labor leaders and the Communist Party about Hafiz’s actions, no one has taken steps to stop him. Consequently, the federation filed a General Diary (GD) at Narayanganj Sadar Model Police Station. GD Entry No: 1539, Date: 27/04/2025. Sayeed further stated that the authority to approve programs at the Shaheed Minar rests solely with the Narayanganj City Corporation. Their organization submitted an application on February 23, 2025, and received written approval on March 17, 2025, for a rally and cultural event from 4 PM to 7 PM on May 1, 2025. Based on this approval, they have distributed posters, leaflets, and invitation cards. Yet, one individual is trying to block the event using his claimed influence.  Observers say such unethical behavior and moral decay from a communist leader is deeply shameful for the civil society of Narayanganj. No one ever imagined Hafizul Islam would behave in such a thuggish manner. The accusations from Advocate Mahbubur Rahman Ismail and the federation's GD are highly disgraceful. If a progressive politician can turn into a jhut trader and stone supplier, this could mark the beginning of a disgraceful chapter in Narayanganj’s labor politics.